A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. Hope this chapter relieves some of the angst…or makes it worse, I don't know. Glad you guys like the one-shot Envy as well. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Read and Review, it's magically delicious.

To Catch A Rat

I pray you learn to trust

Have faith in both of us

And keep room in your hearts for two

Things get damaged

Things get broken

I thought we'd manage

But words left unspoken

Left us so brittle

There was so little left to give

(Precious—Depeche Mode)

Luna Lovegood was diligently scribbling down notes in her runes class when a burning sensation in her pocket caught her attention. Seeing that the Professor wasn't paying her any mind, anybody rarely did, she calmly put down her quill and reached into the pocket of her robes.

"EEEEEP!"

The Professor stopped and stared at her along with all of her fellow classmates. She had fallen off of her chair in her excitement.

"I'm okay!" she chirped as she picked herself off of the floor. The Professor continued on with the lecture and the students returned to sitting face forward. But Luna couldn't pay attention now. She had finally received the long awaited message she had been waiting to get for so long.

A D.A. meeting tonight at nine.

Neville ran up to Ginny in the hall, a wide smile on his face. "Did you get it? Did you get it?"

She looked up at him with concern on her face. "Nev, what on earth are you talking about?"

He was grinning like a kid at Christmas when he pulled a gold coin from his pocket. "D.A. meeting."

She stared at him. "What? Are you sure? We should talk to Harry."

"No need to," Ron said, coming up to them. "It's true. Spread the word for others to check their coins."

Justin Finch-Fletchley was having a nice snooze in his history of magic class when something hit him on the side of his head, waking him up. He blinked rapidly to adjust to the light and wiped the drool off of his face before finding the culprit of his sleep disturbance resting on the parchment in front of him. He picked up the tightly folded piece of paper.

Check Your Coin—Terry

He looked back at his friend with a question on his face. "The D.A.," Terry mouthed back to him. Justin's eyes widened in surprise and excitement.

The day was like that for the members of Dumbledore's Army, a secret club of students who were taught Defense Against the Dark Arts by Harry Potter during his fifth year at Hogwarts. The group had disbanded when they were ratted out by one of their very own and caught by the High Inquisitorial Squad. They had been inactive since with only a few using what they had learned when Death Eaters attacked the castle last year. Although they still had the coins, they were lost at the bottom of trunks and were dug out as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

"Is it true Harry?" the Patil twins said when they came up to him in the library. Harry had called the meeting after a long night's debate on whether he really wanted to do this or not. But with Ron and Hermione at his side, he could do this if there was enough interest. With new underclassmen there could be new talent and renewed interest. Especially after what happened last year.

Parvati stepped forward. "Is it true about the…"

"…you know, tonight?" Padma finished.

"See you there," Harry whispered with a grin and walked past them to go into the library.

Hermione was putting her books away, getting ready to leave and check her traps.

"Hey," he said softly as he walked up to her.

"Oh, hello Harry," she replied.

"Did you uh…get my message? I wanted to tell you earlier today but I didn't see you at breakfast or lunch and I barely get to see you in between classes…"

Hermione slowly set a book into her bag. "I've been a little busy Harry. The traps have cut into my study time at night so I do it in between classes."

"Oh." He believed her but he wondered if it was an excuse to avoid him. "Well, I wanted to tell you…"

"…about tonight," she finished for him. "I know. Justin told me."

He moved around the table to stand next to her. "I'd really like you to be there," he said softly. "I know that you're not too happy with our friends and that the two of us are still trying to figure things out but…please come?"

She looked up at him. Harry could see the familiar dusting of light freckles across her nose. A pang of longing washed over him. "I'll try and finish early," she answered then shrugged her book bag on her shoulder. "But for now," she said in a tone that was considerably lighter, "you have a detention to get to."

He sighed. "That I do. That I do."

Hermione sighed as she freed the little white mouse. "You again, huh?"

She was taking her time tonight, wasting it away so she could keep her mind occupied and not thinking about the D.A. meeting that was starting right about now. She didn't think she could handle being in the same room with people that she thought were her friends, people that had so quickly turned their backs on her. She felt so lost. This whole war screwed everything up. She screwed everything up. Draco screwed everything up.

She tilted the cage. "Out you go. See you tomorrow night." The little white mouse skittered away into the bushes.

"You might want to try a different bait." Hermione froze when she heard his voice. "You're not catching an ordinary rat."

She quickly gathered her things and stood to walk away. He reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Let go of me, Draco," she hissed, trying to shrug her arm out of his grasp. He tightened the hold slightly.

"Not until we talk," he countered, moving them to a darker shadow where they couldn't easily be seen. Hermione made a sound of protest but Draco put a finger to his lips. "Would you settle down? I don't need to get into trouble just for trying to talk to you and I don't need Potty breathing down my back about it either."

"I said all I've wanted to say to you," she hissed at him.

"Fine. Then just listen!"

"You must be crazy if you think—"

"How many times do I have to apologize to you?"

She shook her head. "I don't know why you feel like apologizing to me in the first place. You never cared about me before and you don't care for me now."

"That's not true."

"I can't listen to this," she shook her head and tried to walk away.

"I care about you," he persisted.

"No you don't or else you wouldn't have done what you did! Draco you drugged me!"

"I lowered your inhibitions. Made you act on feelings that were already there, they didn't just come out of nowhere."

She whirled around to face him. "Feelings that were obviously a mistake. It doesn't condone what you did to me!"

"I did what I did because I thought it was the only way I could get you to act on those feelings."

"We've already had this same conversation," Hermione turned and walked away but Draco jumped in front of her.

"I'm not noble like Potty is. I'm not popular like that Wellington git. I'm not famous like Krum. But I am rich and good looking (Hermione scoffed) and a bit spoiled. I'm not used to not getting what I want and—"

Hermione interrupted him. "Draco, you're a Death Eater and a first class wanker so piss off!"

"Hermione, wait!"

She spun around and slapped him hard across the cheek then she drew her wand. Taking a page out of Ron's book, she shouted, "Eat slugs!" She left him there and hurried back to the castle, sounds of him heaving filled the night air. The encounter had put her in a foul mood and she didn't bother setting the last of the traps, she just went straight to bed.

Harry stared at the door of the Room of Requirement. Everyone was chatting amicably and excitedly with each other as they sat in squashy armchairs and beanbags. It was already a quarter past nine.

She wasn't coming.

Something sank in his stomach and just sat there weighing him down. But he had to get this meeting started.

He moved to the front of the room where Ron was sitting on a table. "Right then. This meeting will be a short one just to get things started again. Welcome back to the D.A." There were some cheers and whoops of excitement at this announcement. "We're going to try and figure out a schedule that meets everyone's needs and…yes, Ernie?" He nodded to the Head Boy whose hand shot in the air.

"What about recruiting new members?" he asked. "I think there are a few underclassmen who would like to join." The other members nodded in agreement.

"We'll talk about that as well," Harry replied. "But first, Quidditch practice schedules?"

"Gryffindor has the pitch Thursday," Ron spoke first.

"Ravenclaw has tomorrow."

"Hufflepuff has it on Tuesday."

"What about Friday night?" Luna piped up.

Ernie shook his head. "Hufflepuff is playing Slytherin Saturday."

"Should we try for Saturday night, then?" Harry suggested. "Pending of course that the game doesn't last that long?"

Everyone nodded and murmured in consent.

"As for new members…" Harry paused. "We have to be careful who we invite. We don't want what happened last time to happen again. This is far more dangerous than Umbridge finding out. Things have changed."

"Can't Hermione make up a new list like last time?" Terry asked.

"I'll, uh, ask her but in the meantime, how about each of us is allowed to bring one and only one recruit? This will give you some time to really think about who you want to bring in this circle, what this new person could contribute."

Ginny nodded in agreement. "I think that's a good idea."

"I should have some sort of sign up sheet by then," Harry said. At least he hoped he would. "Okay, that's it. Meeting adjourned."

He brought out the Map and checked that the coast was clear before letting everyone out. While he was at it, he checked on Hermione who was currently in her room. Harry sighed let out a heavy sigh.

"Maybe she got caught up with something or isn't feeling well," Ron said quietly from behind him.

"I don't think so Ron," he replied, folding the piece of parchment up. The two of them were the last to leave and Harry nodded to Ron who was going to walk Luna back to her common room.

There were some students still left in the Gryffindor common room when Harry got there. Most of them were studying, especially the fifth and seventh year students. Seamus and Dean sat with Parvati and Lavender at a table. Harry walked up to them.

"Hey, could one of you go upstairs and get Hermione?" he asked the girls.

"The stairs are a bitch for the boys, huh?" Lavender winked. "I'll get her for you."

"Thanks," Harry muttered.

He only waited a few short minutes until Lavender reappeared…alone. "She's asleep Harry."

"Well, wake her up. It's important."

"She's taken a sleeping draught. I can't wake her up."

"What?" Harry said, surprised.

"Yeah, she had been having nightmares so Pomfrey have her some to help her sleep. You'll have to catch her tomorrow Harry. Sorry." She shrugged and went back to her study group.

Harry sighed and rubbed his face. The stupid, slimy, Slytherin Git. There was nothing more he could do tonight. He would have to try and corner her tomorrow.

The sun hadn't even peeked over the horizon when Harry dragged himself out of bed and got ready for the day. He went downstairs and parked himself in front of the fireplace, waiting for Hermione to come down. Surprisingly, he didn't have to wait long.

"Harry!" she exclaimed, coming to a stop on the stairs. He stood up and walked over to her.

"Look, I'm not going to ask you why you didn't come last night," he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Hermione shifted awkwardly. "But I need your help anyway. I was wondering if you could make a sign up sheet for the D.A. again, like you did in fifth year."

"Oh, okay. I can do that," she answered. They stood there together in awkward silence before Hermione broke it. "Since we're being honest and we don't want anymore crap between us…Malfoy came up to me last night when I was releasing the mice."

A darkened look passed over Harry's face and he stepped closer to Hermione. "What did he want?"

"He wanted to apologize…again. Told me that I was using the wrong kind of bait. I didn't listen to him though," she added quickly. "I left him there vomiting up slugs."

Harry relaxed a little and let out a soft laugh.

"I just thought you should know," Hermione said, looking up at him.

"Hmm," Harry said thoughtfully.

"What?" she asked.

"As much as this kills me to admit it, the ferret may be right about the traps."

Hermione opened her mouth to reply but stopped when she saw the sight that walked in when the portrait door opened. "Crookshanks!" she gasped.

The half-kneazle walked into the common room with a black snake dangling from its jaws. Harry stared at it, stunned as it ran up to him and placed Isis at his feet.

"Harry," she hissed weakly. She was bleeding badly.

"Oh Crookshanks, what did you do?" Hermione moaned as Harry knelt down to his pet.

"Crookshanks didn't do this Hermione," he said.

"Brown rat," Isis hissed. "Sssilver…paw."

"Pettigrew," Harry muttered angrily.

Hermione took off her jumper and wrapped it carefully around the snake. "We've got to take her to Hagrid," she said, gently lifting the snake.

Together they ran through the halls and out of the castle to cross the lawn to Hagrid's hut. Harry pounded loudly on the door. "Hagrid, it's me, Harry!" he shouted.

He could hear fang barking inside along with the heavy footsteps of the gentle half-giant.

"Harry, Hermione? What're yeh two doing here so early?" he asked when he opened the door.

"Hagrid, Isis is hurt," Harry explained as Hermione held out her bundle.

"Come in, come in," he said, letting them pass. Hermione placed Isis gently on the table and Hagrid carefully unwrapped the sweater.

"She was hunting for Pettigrew in the castle," Harry explained. "He attacked her."

"Harry," Isis hissed. "Harry, there'sss—"

"Shh," Harry hissed back. "Relax and let Hagrid take care of you. He's a friend."

"Tha's a bad wound there, Harry. But it's nothing I can't take of," Hagrid said as he assessed the snake.

"Hermy?" came another scratchy and rough voice and Hermione gasped and backed up into the wall behind her.

It suddenly occurred to Harry that there had been some changes inside of Hagrid's hut since it had been repaired after it was destroyed last year. It was magically expanded inside to fit a half-giant…and his brother.

Grawp came into the room and had immediately spotted Hermione. Harry carefully placed himself in front of her as a shield. "Er…Grawp is here now?" he asked.

"Oh yeah," Hagrid said as he walked to a cabinet that held various jars and vials. He picked one out that looked like an old perfume aspirator and sprayed it on Isis. "That'll get her to sleep," Hagrid said. "He's been staying with me since the summer. McGonagall let me keep him here since it's not safe for him in the forest anymore."

"Hermy pretty," Grawp smiled at her. Hermione shrank further behind Harry.

Hagrid chuckled. "Still has a bit of a crush on you Hermione." He turned back to his brother. "Yes, Hermy pretty." Grawp nodded in agreement then looked at Harry.

Harry wasn't sure what to do. Grawp was looking expectantly at him. "Er, I think he wants yeh to agree, Harry," Hagrid whispered.

"Oh! Um, yes. Hermy pretty. Hermy very pretty," Harry said to Grawp.

Grawp frowned then roared. Hermione let out a startled cry and Harry eyed the exit.

"Oh!" Hagrid exclaimed. "Oh, I think he meant for you to say the opposite Harry."

"What?" Harry exclaimed over the pouting giant who was near to throwing a tantrum.

"I think he thinks you're competition. Say the opposite. Say Hermione is ugly."

"Are you crazy?" Harry shouted. "I'm not going to say that!"

"Harry, for goodness sake, just say it!" Hermione nudged him sharply in the back.

"Fine! Hermy ugly, Grawp! Hermy ugly!"

The tantrum abruptly stopped and Grawp grinned widely, showing is cracked and crooked teeth.

"Unbelievable," Harry muttered under his breath.

Hagrid began to rub a foul smelling paste over Isis' wounds. "There, that should help some," he declared as he let the snake rest."

"Will she be okay?" Hermione asked from behind Harry.

"Just give her a few days and she'll be just fine," Hagrid smiled. "Why don't you two stay for tea? It's been so long since yeh visited, Harry."

Guilt washed over Harry. It had been awhile since he saw his friend. He looked back at Hermione who looked equally torn.

"Er, I'm sure a few moments wouldn't hurt," he said nervously, praying Hermione wouldn't skin him alive later.

"Good. I wanna show yeh two what I've been working on with Grawp, here." Hagrid smiled proudly. "Grawp, our guests would like some tea."

Grawp stomped over to the table and delicately pulled out a chair. "Hermy."

Harry looked at Hagrid nervously but the he didn't seem to be too nervous about his half-brother. But Harry moved his hand near his wand just in case as Hermione bravely stepped forward and climbed into the chair, her feet dangling as the giant slid the chair to the table with surprising gentleness. Even Hermione seemed surprised and she relaxed a little bit. Harry and Hagrid then took their seats as Grawp set down a tray of saucers and a kettle. The cup that Grawp set before Hermione was the size of a large soup pan while Hagrid's and Grawps were the size of buckets. Hagrid cleared his throat to catch Grawp's attention as he nodded toward Harry. Grawp frowned and hastily set down a cup and saucer in front of him.

Next, Grawp took out a lace napkin and handed it to Hermione who politely said "Thank You" and the giant beamed. Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Very carefully, Grawp poured tea into Hermione's cup, not even spilling a drop. He did the same to Hagrid's cup and to his own but when it came to filling Harry's cup, it was roughly poured and some of it splashed onto his robes. Next, Grawp held out a tray to Hermione that had a selection of either some delicious looking scones or things that looked like rocks. Hermione picked out the scone while Hagrid picked out a rock. "I baked 'em myself," he said proudly. Grawp took a scone and when Harry reached for the same Grawp handed Harry a rock. Harry tapped the delicacy lightly on the table and it thumped loudly. Maybe if he soaked it in his tea it would soften up a bit?