Sorry to ShouldBeInHollyWood I didn't mention you in my last chapter – I didn't check my email.

Zippybn: The eventual pairings will be HGDM and HPGW but it might take a while to get there. I'll try to update more regularly.

Disclaimer: It's all JKR's. Except the plot of course.

Chapter 3. The First Assignment.

The Golden Trio we're sitting at the breakfast table, Hermione reading a book, of course, Harry deep in conversation with Ginny and Ron was quietly thinking to himself.

Ron's POV

It'll have to be something to do with Snape or McGonagall. They're the only ones that will punish her enough. I'll try Snape first but how can I get into the dungeons. Harry's invisibility cloak? No I don't know where it is now I don't know where he lives. What if I get Peeves to help? That could work. He could make a distraction in the astronomy tower, that would get all the teacher's running, but then how do I get into the dungeon, Snape must lock it at night (A/N: Snape wouldn't use Alohamora so Ron can't use the counter spell), what if I hid in the classroom until Peeves' distraction? It's pretty dark down there I could just change my clothes; I am a wizard after all. Yeah that would work, we have Potions last thing on a Thursday. Yeah.

End of POV

"Come on you two or we'll be late for Charms." Hermione said getting up from her seat opposite Harry.

"Yeah I guess," Harry replied also standing up. Both of them looked at Ron and saw him, completely oblivious to them talking to him.

"OI, Ron, Get up!" Ginny shouted in her brothers ear.

"Aww Bloody Hell Gin, you could have just spoken normally," The Three Gryffindor's on their feet gave each other confused looks.

"Well come on then." Ron said impatiently. They all said goodbye to Ginny still a little confused about Ron's behaviour but let it pass and walked up to the door of Professor Flitwick's classroom..

"Well well well, The Golden boy and his golden sidekicks." It was Draco Malfoy, he stood there with Crabbe and Goyle behind him sniggering stupidly.

"Piss off Malfoy, I'm head boy I can put you in detention." Harry replied angrily.

"Ooh a little detention, what with Professor Snape? Yeah 'cos I'm only his favourite student." Crabbe and Goyle laughed again.

"Shut up Malfoy, Can't you even be civil in out last year?"

"No. Especially not to you," He looked Hermione up and down then added "Mudblood"

"Hush hush, in we go quickly now," Flitwick had emerged from his classroom and addressed his class. The Gryffindor's and Slytherin's silently filed into the room and took they're seats. Harry and Hermione once again changed curious expressions, usually when Malfoy called Hermione 'Mudblood' Ron would jump in and try to slug him, this time he just stood around and watched the argument unfold in front of him.

"Now this term, Professor Dumbledore has given you a very exciting task," Flitwick squeaked from his pile of books. "You will be working in partners, with students from the opposite house." Flitwick watched the Faces of his students rise and fall at the mention of 'the opposite house'. "I will put you into partners and then tell you about your assignment." Flitwick read out a long lost of names that put Hermione with Malfoy, Harry with Pansy Parkinson and Ron with Blaise Zambini. All the Gryffindor's groaned as they moved to sit with their partners.

"Now this term you will be working with Pygmy Puffs!" Flitwick almost fell of his chair with excitement. As he climbed back up he coughed a little and continued. "Yes as I was saying you will be working with Pygmy puffs. Each pair will get one and it is up to the two of you to find out what it eats, when it sleeps, really it's like having a child."

Harry looked at Pansy and was grateful she wasn't carrying his child. Flitwick went on "You will have to spend time outside of these lessons with your partners, researching and caring for your Pygmy Puff." A wide grin spread across the Professor's face. "Any questions?" Hermione raised her hand, Draco sniggered at this.

"Yes Miss Granger?"

"I was just wandering when we were going to get our Pygmy Puffs?"

"Ahh a very good question Miss Granger, you will receive your pets this time next week. You can spend the rest of this lesson talking to your partner and working on a time to meet up to start researching the Pygmy Puff."

Hermione and Harry looked at their partners and realised they weren't going to get much of a conversation. Ron however was still in thought Harry made a mental note to visit him this evening and ask what was going on.