Disclaimer: I don't own this.

Sorry for the late update everyone! Oh well. And after I promised to get this one in on time too.

Jdcrmn – Thanks!

RDFCFSAF – Thanks!

Emily – Although this fiction's been writing on the go, I'm thinking of doing it in a style similar to that on the next one, so that it's more cohesive.

Squigglius – Thanks a lot!

High Serpent King – I thought that sticking a section with Ron at the end would help facilitate suspense, and it was also one of those abrupt viewpoint shifts I'm so fond of.

Dancerrdw – Thanks!

Sorry again for how late this is. It's about twice the length of most of the latest chapters, however, so hopefully that'll help.

Chapter 37 – The Ins and Outs of N.E.W.T. Transfiguration

Finally something's gone right with this day.

Although Draco had arrived late to a practice that he had called for extra practice for the Ravenclaw game, after attending a Death Eater meeting and being totally ignored by the Order, not to mention stood up by the Deputy Headmistress and Dumbledore's second-in-command, the practice itself was going fairly well. Draco had arrived at the practice somewhat irritable and the team had quickly realized this. Consequentially, they were racing around at top speed, spending their top efforts and playing brutal, rough, and fast. Just how Draco had taught them to.

Draco sighed while looking at the team practice. Although the team had mastered the mechanics, none of them were really natural talents or understood the finesse, and it was too bothersome to try to teach them. That's why it hung on his shoulders to be able to beat teams like Gryffindor. He had to catch the Snitch first. But it was still tough, especially with the competition the other teams were offering this year. More teams were now following the example of Gryffindor's kind of dual captain-ship. While Draco knew Potter had final say on the Quidditch pitch about what went on didn't with the Gryffindor team, he also knew that Weasley exercised some control in practice with the players. It was a smart system too, for it allowed the players to flourish individually with the best players.

Unfortunately, not all houses were privileged to have that kind of depth available in the houses.

Crack! Susan Slice, a Beater, sent a Bludger flying towards an unfortunate chaser, Jason Cracker. Cracker dodged just barely, the Bludger whistling past his ears narrowly. He looked pleadingly at Draco, but was faced with an impassive stare, and settled to shooting a nasty look at Slice and chasing after the Quaffle. Draco wasn't about to berate his best player for playing well. Although Draco's decision to include a girl on the team had been originally frowned upon by his housemates, Draco was now cheered for his bold innovation. Draco, however, wasn't thinking about advancing women's rights in the house of Slytherin when picking Slice – she was one of the few persons in the house with any kind of Quidditch smarts, and although she wasn't an expert, she could hit brutally and accurately, and that was what counted. It was that kind of play that had won Slytherin its game against Hufflepuff earlier and the kind of play that Draco hoped would win the game against Ravenclaw.

Slytherin team practiced long into the night before Draco, finally satisfied and tired, called it over. Landing wearily on the ground, the team started to walk towards the ground.

"Hey! Who's this?" Susan's voice called out across the grounds.

"Ah you're a little Mudblood," Cracker's voice jeered leeringly at the little kid.

Draco watched the scene unfold with some amount of dread. His initial gut reaction that he had enjoyed for so long was to laugh with the rest of them, but some kind of higher operation stopped him. How could he make fun of a first or second-year Hufflepuff just for being different? Then again, that was the kind of thing he always used to do. The kind of thing that he was being expected to do now. Finally, he acted.

"Hey kid, beat it!" Draco said with fitting savagery. The Hufflepuff kid walked away at a good clip, and Draco forced a laugh along with the rest, and they went on to the locker room.

"Did you see him squeal?"

"What a wimp…"

"Can't believe they let these kids into Hogwarts…we should teach them a lesson."

Susan laughed along with the rest before approaching her captain.

"Feeling tired?" Draco didn't answer, but she pressed. "Because you certainly let that little Mudblood go easy," she continued aggressively.

That's it.

"Mudblood, eh? You know, I've heard a rumor once that you're a quarter Muggle."

Susan flushed, while all the other players laughed at her expense. Those kinds of insults – about blood – were the most degrading in Slytherin possible.

"You know that's not true – the Sorting Hat…"

"How do you know?" Draco continued. "I've heard that Potter almost made it into Slytherin, and he's a half-blood."

Susan, aggravated, wisely stayed silent and let the others laugh. They arrived at the locker room, all except for Draco, who went into the adjoining captain's room and heard the argument that ensued in the regular locker room while he wrote down strategies and made notes on the weaknesses of the team.

"So, Slice? Really true you're a quarter Muggle? I'd believe it, you always seemed Muggle-ish to me." Laughs.

"Shut up, Cracker, before I knock your head off with a Bludger. That one earlier in practice – I was just warming up."

"Whatever Slice, you're not in the Captain's favor anymore. Tried to bite off more than you could chew even being on the team, and especially addressing the Captain like that." Susan's fellow Beater's voice, Schroeder Brown, sounded out against her. Draco finally decided that he was sick of this arguing, and slammed open the door.

"Would you all shut up? I'm trying to write here! What's going on Brown – you have something to say? And you, Cracker?" The two shook their heads silently. Draco finally turned his grey eyes towards Susan. "And you Slice, still here? Shouldn't you get to the girls locker room?"

Susan stared back at him, fiery green eyes under glistening sheets of dark brown hair. She was actually a fourth-year, albeit a very pretty one. "Just passing through," she said in an aloof manner, before turning her nose up and leaving to the adjoining girl's locker room. The click of that lock turning sounded. Draco gave a finishing glare to all the remaining guys before slamming the door shut. The team stayed quiet before leaving, padding out and speaking in hushed tones among themselves. Draco continued writing Quidditch strategies.

"But Professor McGonagall," Hermione pleaded again. "Please…"

"I'm sorry Miss Granger but this is final. You must always be kept in company by at least two wizards or witches, even to the bathroom. You should be grateful that this measure hadn't been taken before, after what happened this summer." McGonagall had taken her and Harry back to Hogwarts and left Dumbledore, Lupin, and Hagrid at the Order HQ. The new protective measures that Dumbledore had spoken of consisted of one main thing – Hermione would always be accompanied. Always. She was not to go on walks alone, never to be out after dark. She must always have her wand. She must not ever be missing.

Hermione, after the mention of the incident this summer, finally acquiesced and hung her head. Harry knew that this would be something of a lifestyle change for Hermione, albeit a minor one. Hermione liked long walks and lots of alone time (often with books), although before the attack a lot of her time had been spent increasingly with Ron. Harry even suspected that parts of his life would change slightly – although Harry couldn't accompany her to the bathroom, Harry knew that a great part of the time he would be one of those two wizards or witches accompanying Hermione, and that this would then include lots of quiet time. Although Harry and Ron often spent great chunks of time playing Exploding Snap and such, Hermione would often leave in the middle of these games, retreating to her enormous stacks of homework or to a good book. Harry thought somewhat wistfully that perhaps he would be able to play Exploding Snap anyway, and that Hermione would find a homework buddy who spent as much time on it as her. It was unlikely, though, unless Hermione warmed up to the company of Ernie Macmillan (who, all in all, wasn't that bad, if a bit pompous).

"Agreed then? Good. You may leave, although it will be necessary that I escort you until we meet somebody else."

"Oh Professor McGonagall, is it really -"

"I'm afraid it is."

Hermione sighed and turned around at a fast clip, followed by a venerable McGonagall and a grinning Harry. Forcefully, she grabbed a girl who was passing by.

"Parvati, would you like to spend some time with us?" Hermione asked, and then looked at McGonagall. A faint smile showed on McGonagall's lips before she turned, her cloak whipping behind her and following to the Transfiguration room. Hermione turned around and started walking fast towards the Gryffindor room, with Harry pulling a bemused Parvati along and following in her wake.

"Hello, Harry, how are you doing?" Parvati asked. Harry felt a slight pull in the stomach region that felt suspiciously like butterflies while answering.

"Hermione's always got to be accompanied by two people now."

"Why's that?"

"For her protection, because of the – attack." Harry faltered slightly, wondering if Dumbledore would've minded if he had told the truth. Best to stay safe, though.

"So why aren't you under surveillance as well?"

"Well – I suppose I am." Harry finished lamely. Hopefully this wouldn't cause problems, although it would provide a good excuse to have Parvati spend time with him.

"Ah, I see. So, for someone who's supposed to be kept under surveillance she sure is making this hard," Parvati gasped a little while saying this. They were actually going at a slow jog now, behind an ever-resilient Hermione.

"Yes, you wouldn't figure someone with such short legs could run so fast."

"I heard that!" Hermione yelled back, before coming to an abrupt stop in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, waiting for them to stop. Harry and Parvati skidded to a stop, nearly knocking each other down. A slightly breathless Hermione spoke to Parvati.

"So, you're better Parvati?"

"Well – yes."

"That's excellent!" Harry spoke up, feeling stupid for sounding a little too enthusiastic. Parvati blushed a little and looked away and Hermione shot Harry a grin. Harry glared before facing the Fat Lady.

"The Return of the King," Harry spoke clearly, and the portrait hole swung open. The three friends walked in, ducking through the small portrait hole.

"So what do you guys want to do? Up for a game of chess? Or Exploding Snap?"

"I'm fine for either," Parvati replied.

"Oh, you two play chess, I'll just go read a book or something," Hermione said quickly before trying to retreat into her dormitory.

"Uh-uh, no you don't," Harry grinned, grabbing the back of her cloak. "Remember what McGonagall said?"

"But Harry, surely you can't accept what she said at face value – how can I possibly be hurt in my dormitory?"

"So that was your plan – if you can't convince McGonagall, convince me? Nope Hermione, not going to work. You're staying here, with us."

"Harry," Hermione said, hands placed on her hips. "How can I possibly get a copy of The Ins and Outs of N.E.W.T. Transfiguration without going into the dormitory?"

"Accio Hermione's Transfiguration book! And while I'm at it, Accio chess set!"

A magnificent intricate gold (albeit not solid gold, of course) chess set that Harry had bought for Ron started to come out of the boy's dormitory, along with the equally good-looking pieces in a box on top of it.

"No – not that one – well I suppose it doesn't matter." Harry said, somewhat disgruntled at the reminder of Ron. The chess set floated to a stop in front of Harry. Distracted, Harry shook his head and concentrated, centering his thoughts on the situation.

"Say, where's that stupid book! Accio Hermione's Transfiguration Book!"

A sliding sound was heard and Harry and Parvati, astonished, saw an incredibly huge purple book, with tons of little markers and little post-its stuck on, start slowly across the floor. Harry felt a slight tug on his wand, until finally he heard (or rather felt) a little snap. The book stopped moving.

"Uh, Harry," Parvati said. "Why isn't it summoning anymore?"

"The spell – uh – broke, for lack of a better word. Wasn't powerful enough. Hermione, you're close enough, you can go get it." Hermione sighed and went over to the massive book, dragging it over and then lifting it (or rather heaving it) up with a grunting sound. She collapsed onto the couch and then waved her wand. The book suddenly expanded to about twice the size. Seeing Parvati and Harry's shocked faces, she explained.

"I had a Shrinking Spell on it," Hermione said. "What is it?" she said, looking a little hurt.

"Nothing Hermione," Harry said. "It's nothing. So uh, what chapter are you on?"

"Well this is my fourth time through," Hermione said. "But at the moment I'm on Chapter 567: The Right Wand Movements."

"Right, well, uh, good luck," Harry said. "So, do you want to be white or black?" he asked Parvati.

"I'll be white."

Harry nodded and waved his wand swiftly. The box opened and all the pieces tumbled out into their respective places. Harry and Parvati resumed their game.

Ron looked at the Thestral and then slowly got onto it.

"Off, to the Forbidden Forest." Majestically, the Thestral swept out of the dark Forest, sweeping out back to Hogwarts.