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Chapter 26- A Distraction

Early March

"I hope you know tomorrow is a Hogsmeade trip," Hermione said during lunch. "Make sure you remind Ron."

"Of course I know Hermione," said Harry. "You've said it everyday for the last week."

"Sorry," Hermione said sheepishly. "I just don't want you guys to forget."

Harry sighed. "You do get annoying, you know that right?"

"I know. I consider it my job. Someone has to know what's going on. Ron's not much help and you have other things to worry about, so it falls on me," Hermione explained. "And, if you didn't know it,Ron is sitting with Lavender and Parvati."

"Poor guy," Harry replied. "They're nice, but I wouldn't want to spent any more time with them than what's necessary."

"Tell me about it. At least you don't have to put a silencing charm around your bed so you don't have to hear them gossip," Hermione said.

"Good point."

"Fred and Snape are up to something," Hermione said suddenly.

"Did they tell you anything?" asked Harry.

"No, but I've spent enough time with both of them to know when they're up to something."

"I really would like to be in on one of their plots," said Harry. "One would expect Fred to be up to something, but not Snape."

Hermione rolled her eyes and glanced up at the staff table. She looked at Harry and said, "Whatever it is, it doesn't look like McGonagall approves of it."

"McGonagall thinks Fred and Snape are a bad influence on you," Ginny said. She had been listening to Harry and Hermione's conversation quietly.

"Who wouldn't?" Hermione asked. "But when you live with Fred, he does rub off on you."

Ginny nodded in agreement, while Harry still seemed puzzled as to why Snape was a bad influence on Hermione.

"As for Snape, McGonagall thinks I'm starting to act all evil. She suggested to Dumbledore that he should limit how much time I spend helping Snape so I don't up evil."

Dumbledore stood up and made the general announcement that there was a Hogsmeade trip the next day. Everyone started leaving but Hermione waited for Fred and Tonks, who had disguised herself and had been announced as the new "charms assistant."

"I was wondering how Dumbledore was going to have an excuse for you to be here," Hermione whispered once the crowd of students had dispersed.

"I wonder why Dumbledore didn't give an explanation for an assistant in the middle of the year," Fred wondered. Tonks shrugged and said "Pink sky."

Fred seemed confused for a moment before remembering that pink sky was the new password. Tonks was laughing at Fred for forgetting the password. Hermione rolled her eyes and sat in a chair near the fire, watching them argue about Fred's confusion for a few minutes.

"Tonks, tomorrow is Hogsmeade," Hermione announced.

Tonks turned her attention to Hermione, as did Fred.

"I heard," Tonks remarked dryly. "You and your friends are going to show me around. And Dumbledore said Fred needs to stay here."

"But I wanted Fred to come with us!" whined Hermione.

"I want to come with you guys, but if Dumbledore says I have to stay, then I have to stay," Fred told her. "Maybe I'll be able to go to the next one."

"This is so not fair," declared Hermione.

"It'll be okay Hermione," said Tonks. "It's probably for Fred's safety."

Flitwick stopped by to explain to Tonks what she would be doing (grading essays and helping with lesson plans) before going back to his office.

"Isn't that what you do as Snape's assistant Hermione?" asked Tonks.

Hermione nodded and said, "I also get to help him make potions."

"I just don't get why anyone would want to help Snape," commented Tonks.

"That's what I said," replied Fred. "But now Hermione's starting to get a little evil. It's all Snape's fault."

"I don't feel like arguing right now," said Hermione. Tonks muttered something about not blaming her before leaving the room. They decided to go to their rooms a few minutes later.

Hermione had been so distracted by the previous night's announcement of the new charm's 'assistant' that she had forgotten about what Snape and Fred were planning.

"I forgot to ask," said Hermione after Harry had mentioned it. "But I know they're up to something."

"Why are we showing her around Hogsmeade?" asked Ron. Hermione, Ginny, and Harry stared blankly at Ron, having no clue what he was talking about. "Professor White."

"Albus told me that you four were friendly and that you would have no problem showing me around," she explained, making sure to wink at Hermione when no one was looking.

"What's this store?" Tonks asked while pointing to the store she was asking about.

"That's Zonko's. It's a joke shop," Ginny explained. "'Mione, do not, and I repeat, do not, start rattling off a history of Hogsmeade right now."

"Fine, I won't," grumbled Hermione. "Taking all my fun away."

"You can tell me later, Ms. Granger," said 'Professor White,' giving Hermione a pointed look. Hermione tried not to giggle, knowing that she was one of the few people who knew the true identity of their new 'assistant'.

Ginny, Harry and Ron kept pointing out important Hogsmeade stores, while Draco looked at Hermione suspiciously, trying to figure out the connection between her and Professor White. Hermione made a note to talk to him later as they stopped at the Three Broomsticks. Harry and Draco went to get everyone some butterbeer while Ginny, Ron, and Hermione stayed with their new professor. When Draco and Harry came back, they were asking Tonks if she liked Quidditch and who her favorite team was.

"Could you come with me to Snape's classroom after dinner?" Hermione muttered to Draco.

"Why?"

"I need to talk to you," Hermione explained quietly.

"Sure."

Ginny insisted that they actually go into the stores instead of just looking at the store windows so they followed Ginny around, pointing out the different sections in all the different stores.

"Ginny, you could slow down," suggested Draco. Ron muttered something about still not believing that Ginny and Draco were dating.

Draco, who had overheard this comment, said, "At least Harry and I are smart enough not to date Lavender."

Ron glared at Draco, but Tonks intervened. "It would be nice if we could all be nice to each other. I believe it is time to go back to Hogwarts."

Hermione and Harry agreed with her, and dragged the other three back to the castle, and told Ron and Draco that food was waiting at the Great Hall.

"Stop trying to bribe us!" exclaimed Ron.

"Do you want me to have Snape give you a detention?" asked Hermione sweetly. "Or I could talk to Fred to see if he could give you detention with Percy."

"I never heard any of this," commented Tonks as they finally reached the castle.

"You're not going to tell on her for trying to blackmail me?" asked Ron suspiciously.

"Not this time, since you were provoking her," Tonks said. "Don't bother saying anything or else I will allow her to give you a detention with this Percy fellow."

Ron agreed to this as he sat down at his house table and started eating the moment food appeared. When dinner was over, Hermione reminded Draco that she wanted to talk to him. Tonks was talking to Flitwick and Fred and Harry were trying to tell Percy to leave them alone without getting detention.

"Are you going to tell me or not?" asked Draco.

"I will, I just don't know if I should," Hermione admitted. "I probably shouldn't but I know you know there is something going on."

"What's going on?" asked Draco. "Hermione, please tell me what's going on."