A/N- J. K. Rowlings owns all concepts relating to Harry Potter, Hogwarts, etc. I own my plotline and characters.
Chapter 3-
It was only a week after the Smack, as they'd taken to calling it, that the Hogwart's letters arrived. Harry ripped his open, ready to see what new books he had to get. There were only two new ones: The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6 by Miranda Goshawk and Paths of Darkness: Spells of the Shadows compiled by the Four Founders of Hogwarts. Harry goggled at that one. A book compiled by the four founders of Hogwarts? He didn't know it existed!
Mrs. Weasley would probably be going to fetch school supplies again this year, canceling any hope Harry had of getting out of Grimmauld Place for a bit. He was surprised when Heather and Lupin came to collect the book lists. Heather smiled and gathered up the book and potions ingredient lists for Diagon Alley. "Alright then, since the lists were written out with Mrs. Weasley in mind, anyone want to add anything?" She glanced at the foursome who sat looking innocent. Too innocent. She sighed. "Out with it," she said, sitting down, prepared to add to their lists but added, "No Skiving Snackboxes." Ron sighed and slumped back onto his bed, looking terribly disappointed.
In the end, they all had a few odds and ends they needed as well as the usual school supplies. Heather wrote them all down and chuckled. "Remus and I will be gone most of the day. If you think of anything else, send either Pig or Nodin after us." She looked sternly at Harry. "Do not send Hedwig. She's too recognizable. Now, we're off!"
Heather and Lupin were gone most of the day. When they returned that night, Ron and Harry were in the kitchen playing chess. They heard the two come in and Mrs. Weasley begin her scolding. "Remus! You shouldn't have let her carry anything like that! It's too heavy."
"Gee, Mrs. Weasley am I allowed to walk upright or is my body weight too great a strain?" Heather's whining voice drifted in from the front hall.
Ron was heard to say, "Uh oh" under his breath before his mother came storming into the kitchen. Loud stomping footsteps were heard to go upstairs, with muttering accompanying each step. Remus and Molly entered the kitchen bearing bundles, Molly's face redder than Ron's hair. "Molly, you can't hover over her the whole time. She only carried them in here. I didn't allow her to carry anything heavier than the lists the entire time. I promise."
"She needs to think about what she's doing! Accepting that post! In her condition? She's insane!" Molly continued muttering, beginning to separate out packages for the separate students.
Remus chuckled. "I think she knows exactly what she's doing. Besides, you heard her. She'll be as safe at Hogwarts as anywhere. There she'll have Minerva, Albus, and Poppy looking out for her." He took one of Mrs. Weasley's hands and squeezed. "She's not so young anymore. She'll be fine. Don't worry." Neither adult had apparently remembered the two boys sitting there taking it all in.
The rest of the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of two very tired looking Weasleys. Bill, the eldest child, and Arthur, the father of the clan, came in, both looking extremely weary. Both collapsed at the table, where Mrs. Weasley quickly whipped up plates for them. Neither looked battered or hurt, just exhausted.
They ate with the appetites of worn out starving men, quickly clearing the plates of seconds. They looked ready to fall asleep where they sat and Mrs. Weasley shooed them off to bed somewhere. Bill turned back and looked at his mum before leaving though. "Heather still here?"
Remus smiled. "She's gone to her room, probably to rest. Had to do Hogwarts shopping today, remember?" Bill grinned back and left to seek his room.
Finally, Mrs. Weasley and Professor Lupin noticed the boys at the end of the table watching them. Harry and Ron quickly turned back to their game of chess, pretending not to have seen or heard or anything. Mrs. Weasley pursed her lips but said nothing to the two teenagers.
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There was only a week left to go before start of term, when the post arrived. With it came something the three friends had been waiting for all summer: the Results.
Mrs. Weasley was the one to have gathered the post and was holding it downstairs, when they all descended for breakfast. Professor Stone was sitting at the table, nibbling on dry toast and sipping some weak tea, when they all trooped in. Ron and Harry tucked in with their usual appetites. Heather watched them with bemusement, nibbling at regular intervals. When the dishes were cleared away and everyone went to leave Heather cleared her throat, and held up three letters, all bearing the Hogwarts seal. "These you might want to open before you leave."
Ron and Harry didn't know what they were until Hermione sucked in a breath and hissed, "Our OWLs."
Then their looks turned to one of apprehension. Ron swallowed hard and turned very pale, his freckles standing out in stark relief. Harry wasn't quite so worried. He still was not quite as sure he passed though.
Heather solemnly handed each their letters. Hermione immediately ripped hers open and began scanning down the page. Ron swallowed hard and opened his as well. With a sigh Harry followed suit.
His eyes scanned down the page. He was pleasantly surprised.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Following are you grades for your OWLs:
Charms-
Theory: O
Practice: E
Transfiguration-
Theory: E
Practice: E
Astronomy-
Theory: A
Practice: E
Potions-
Theory: E
Practice: A
Herbology-
Theory: A
Practice: E
Defense Against the Dark Arts-
Theory: O
Practice: O
Care of Magical Creatures-
Theory: E
Practice: O
Divination-
Theory: A
Practice: A
History of Magic -
Theory: A
Total OWLs - 11.
Sincerely,
The Wizarding Examination Authority
Harry looked up in shock. He had never expected to get so many! If he did that well, he wondered how well Ron did. He glanced over at his best friend and, silently, they exchanged papers. Harry looked at Ron's total. Nine. He'd missed them in Charms Practice and Potions Theory, where Harry'd gotten them.
They looked at each other and grinned. Hermione looked slightly pleased but also slightly green. "Something wrong Hermione dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked, gently. Hermione just handed up her letter and said nothing. Mrs. Weasley looked the paper over quickly and broke out into a large smile. "This is wonderful! Seventeen OWLs! Congratulations dear!" She grabbed Hermione in a huge hug.
Hermione didn't look like it was wonderful. In fact, she looked disappointed. Heather looked stunned. "Seventeen?! Merlin's beard girl! I only got thirteen! And I was the best in my year!"
Bill came wandering in, his hair still in a ponytail and his fang earring still in his ear. "You were not. That guy in Ravenclaw beat you at fourteen." He poured himself a mug of juice from the pitcher on the table.
Heather waved her hand. "He was teacher's pet and a git. I don't count him."
Bill chuckled. "In other words, he never fell for your jokes. You never could get him, could you?"
Heather grinned maliciously. "Got him just before NEWTs. Bat-Bogey Hex after he was whining for the hundredth time about not having any studying done. Had detention for a week with McGonagall, after she stopped laughing."
Ron and Harry grinned imagining it, but Hermione looked thoughtful. "Why did you have detention with McGonagall?"
Heather smiled and shrugged. "She was my Head of House. Besides, it was her turn."
Bill burst out laughing. "I remember that. The teachers actually began to draw lots about who got stuck with you for detention!" Heather laughed, nodding her head. Hermione looked shocked, but both Ron and Harry started laughing. Defense Against the Dark Arts was looking to be a good class!
"You were a Gryffindor?" Hermione asked, curious. Heather nodded, taking another piece of toast. "How do you and Bill know each other?"
Heather smiled. "We were in the same year. That and once he made prefect, I never gave him a moment's peace. Who do you think the twins learned half their stuff from? Taught them everything I knew in my seventh year."
Ron goggled at her, his mouth hanging open. "You're Stoney!" It was said in awe.
Heather rolled her eyes as Bill burst out laughing again. "Merlin! Will I never lose that name?" She grinned at Ron. "I was Stoney. I'm sure Argus Filch is still cursing my name." She looked at Bill and they both just burst out laughing in memory.
Soon all the current students were peppering Heather with questions about her pranks. She answered most of them but kept a good few silent. Molly was giving her pursed lips looks but kept silent.
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Hermione was sullen and silent that night. As soon as dinner was over, she curled up with her Rune and Arithimancy books, her OWL letter tucked into a pocket. She was muttering and searching furiously through her books for something. Every once in a while she would scribble for a few moments on the parchment she had close at hand.
Harry leaned over to Ron, over their chessboard and whispered, "What's with her?" Ron shrugged and continued setting up his pieces.
It was several hours later, when Mrs. Weasley was shuttling them off to bed, that they found out. Hermione was still muttering over her books as they climbed the stairs when Ginny lost her temper. "Hermione! Stop it! You got OWLs in everything! So what if you didn't get all Outstandings!" Ginny stormed off up to the girls' bedroom.
Harry and Ron exchanged glances and took Hermione's arms and dragged her into their bedroom, instead of letting her follow Ginny. Harry was the one to shut the door behind them. He leaned against it, ready to hold her here if necessary. "You're angry because you didn't get all Outstandings? How many did you get?"
Hermione held out her letter, silently. The two guys looked at it, questioningly. Next to every single one there was an "O" or an "E". The only "E"s she'd gotten were in Arithimancy and practical Herbology. Everything else was an "O". They looked up at her, shocked. She was obviously upset about something but they didn't understand what her scores had to do with it.
"Hermione, you got high marks in everything! What's wrong?" Harry asked.
Hermione sighed. "I wanted to be the first one in Hogwarts history to get perfect OWLs. I worked so hard!"
Ron looked stunned. "You're mad that you got two Es?" Hermione nodded glumly.
Harry shook his head, amazed that she could be worried about that! "Hermione, you got perfect OWLs! You didn't get perfect Outstandings. So what? Think of rubbing it in Malfoy's face."
Hermione looked up. "Do you think he'll show? With his father in Azkaban still I mean?" Harry shrugged and plopped onto his bed, sorry now that he'd brought up the subject. Remembering Lucius Malfoy was in Azkaban reminded him of the night Sirius had died. Especially since they had happened on the same night.
He could feel Ron and Hermione watching him. He sat up, pushing his grief back. "I bet he will," Ron said. "I bet he'll be there and be just as much of a git as ever."
Harry snorted. "When aren't he and Snape both gits?"
Hermione shook her head. "He is on our side now. Everytime we've suspected him, we've been wrong." She looked at both boys, sternly. "This year, we'll leave him alone."
"Snape?" Ron gasped.
"You're crazy!" Harry said at the same time. "We can't trust him! Besides, you know he won't leave us alone!" Ron nodded enthusiastically.
Hermione stood in a huff and left. The boys shared looks. Then, both shrugged and got ready for bed.
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It was finally August thirty-first. Harry was up, packed and ready to go before Ron. Hermione and Ginny were the only ones to beat him downstairs. Mrs. Weasley was bustling around the kitchen, getting breakfast ready. The new Professor was nowhere to be seen. He sat down and poured himself some juice while Ron finally came down.
The teenagers had both talked about it and were wondering how Quidditch was going to be done this year. The year before, Umbridge, as Hogwarts High Inquisitor, had banned Harry for life. No one expected that to be true this year. Ginny had already said she was going to try for Chaser, having replaced Harry as Seeker. Ron would be Keeper again. They still needed two Chasers and two Beaters. In fact, as Harry realized suddenly, they really needed a whole new team. Mostly anyway. There would be four new players out of seven this year.
Mrs. Weasley hurried them all through breakfast, so they could get to King's Cross. This year they would be traveling with a much lighter guard than they had the year before. Only Moody, Lupin, Mrs. Weasley and Bill would be coming with them, everyone else was busy with work for the Order.
Once everyone was ready, they quickly made their way to King's Cross, taking Muggle taxis. Once there, Moody made sure they were quickly rushed through the barrier. Once across, Harry and company quickly loaded their trunks and said their goodbyes. Bill was the one to take Harry aside for a moment and talk to him. "Harry do me a favor this year?"
"Sure, if I can." Harry was curious.
"Well, for one don't go running off or doing anything rash. Tell Dumbledore or McGonagall about anything odd. No matter how trivial it may seem." Harry sighed and nodded. Bill didn't realize he didn't have his "adventures" on purpose. They just happened. "Two, keep an eye on Professor Stone. She needs the extra help."
Harry nodded, determined now to find out what was going on. His gut told him Hermione was right. There was a secret being kept and Heather Stone was right in the middle of it.
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A/N- Special thanks go out to the following people-
To Mahthran and Darkfyre for helping me figure out a way for the OWLs to work.
To Tk. Duveraun For help with OWLs as well and the book names.
This chapter is for them.