Disclaimer: I own Marta.
A/N I am so sorry! Fall term hit and wham! No free time. I didn't even have time to finish all my work. So please don't hate me.
The rest of the Christmas holidays passed in a blur. Hermione's work ethic returned, but this time with a vengeance. Not only was she determined on keeping her grades where they had always been, but swore to herself that she would be the best cat mommy ever. Hermione worked or spent time with Ron and Harry during Marta's naptimes, and played with Marta when she was awake. Before long, they had a set routine.
Marta would wake up at six thirty, hungry and needing to use the litter box. Since this was a half hour earlier than Hermione usually woke up, Marta would climb on Hermione's chest and lick her face. The first couple of times Marta did this, Hermione woke with a start and sat up so quickly that if she hadn't been gripping Hermione's night shirt with her claws, Marta would have been thrown across the room.
Hermione would then get up, and place Marta gently on the floor so Marta could relieve herself in the litter box that arrived not long after Marta had while Hermione broke up pieces of meat small enough for Marta to eat.
They would then go down to the common room or, if it were nice, outside to play. For indoor games, Hermione had tied a long piece of string into a ball with a tail, and Marta had the time of her life chasing it while Hermione swung it above her head. Then Marta would become tired, so Hermione would take her upstairs, lay her on the bed and go to breakfast. After breakfast, Hermione would allow Marta to run around the Common Room while she did her homework. At lunch, Marta would be exhausted again, so another naptime was Hermione's lunch break. Wherever Ron or Harry wanted to hang out after lunch was where Hermione took Marta. Before bed, Marta would have one last energy spurt until she fell asleep. This energy burst was very much like pre-bed hyperness that small children had before they crashed for the night. Hermione found it very amusing.
When classes started again, Hermione would let Marta play in the common room while she did her homework. The runs around the Common Room kept Marta sane, but it drove the other Gryffindors nuts.
Three weeks after Marta arrived, Ron was still not talking to Hermione. In fact, none of the famous trio was talking. Ron and Hermione still had not forgiven each other about Marta's first night with Hermione, and Harry didn't want to take sides. He believed that Hermione was right about Marta, but he could see where Ron was coming from with his arguments. The common room was silent for record breaking stretches of time when Marta was taking her naps, and Hermione didn't give herself the opportunity to catch Colin Creevey racking up more points on his scoreboard.
Finally, the time came when the inevitable happened: Ron needed to copy Hermione's homework. But to copy her homework, he needed to talk to her.
In the beginning, Ron was very reluctant to do this. He had sworn to himself that until the "Mini-Monster" left or began to act the least bit civilized, he would not talk to Hermione. So he did everything in his power to try and get his homework done without Hermione's help.
"Parvati?" Ron asked Parvati one day when he were trying to finish his potions homework, which was more obnoxious then usual because his cauldron had spit fur potion into his face and now the class had to write an essay on the benefits of that same potion. "Do you have any idea why someone would want to grow animal fur on themselves, and be glad with the result?"
"Ronald Weasley, I am not answering that question!" Parvati snapped. "You may get answers from Hermione, but I will not give them to you!" And with that, she slammed her book shut and marched into the girl's dormitory.
None of the other sixth years would answer his questions, either, so Ron handed in his homework with made up answers. He figured that since it worked in Divination, it might work in Potions.
No such luck.
Professor Snape gave Ron the look that he reserved only for Harry when he handed back the homework, now with a shiny red T on it.
"Detention, Weasley. And if I ever catch you saying that Professor Dumbledore took some to make himself his own personal magic carpet again, you will be very, very, sorry."
So while oiling Filch's wrist chains with his toothbrush, Ron gave in. He would now need a new toothbrush, which he knew Mum wouldn't be happy about. He also was not about to risk making up another answer dumb enough to make his arms ache like he knew they would the next day. He also was worried about what would happen if Dumbledore should ever cave in and let Filch use these chains. They scared him beyond belief.
Finally, the last bit of oiling was done. Ron hauled himself over to where he left his bag, and something caught his eye from the corner of the bag. He opened the bag, and there sat a chocolate frog, with a note pinned on it. The note consisted of only four words:
"Thanks for the idea"
Finally, the moment came when Ron could stand it no more.
"Um, Hermione?" She pretended she didn't hear him, and kept her nose deep into her Transfiguration book.
"Hermione, I still am not your cat's biggest fan, but I think I can live with her."
She turned in her seat.
"All right, whose homework do you need?"
"Snape and McGonagall's."
"Ha ha, good luck."
"Please Hermione?
Hermione thought for a second. It would be great to have Ron back as a friend, but Marta was family. Sure, she was very hyper at times, but wasn't that what kittens do? But still…she and Ron had these fights all the time. But none of them were about The Baby.
All and all though, she missed him. But there was one thing he needed to do. She turned to him and set down the book.
"Fine. But if we're going to talk again, you need to apologize to Marta."
Marta was sleeping on a soft pillow Hermione had laid next to the table. Ron looked at Hermione apprehensively.
"Well, go on! You said you could live with her!"
Regretting his words, Ron reached down and stroked the silky long fur. She didn't tense at his touch, only stretched rolled onto her back and allowed him to rub her tummy. He could feel her silent purrs as he ran his fingers through the fluff. As soon as he tried to pull away, however, without even opening her eyes she grabbed his wrist, claws fully drawn.
"OW!" Ron hollered, pulling his hand away from her, but in the process creating long scratches down it. Hermione sniggered.
"Sorry, forgot to warn you about that part." She held up her hands. They were covered in tiny red marks, clearly scratches from Marta's claws. "Use some essence of murlap, that stuff worked wonders when Umbridge scratched up Harry's hand."
"That stuff smells awful, I'm not using it."
"Fine then, but I warn you, your hand will ache tomorrow." Hermione leaned over and pulled the kitten into her lap. The little fluff ball didn't even open her eyes and resembled a rag doll as Hermione heaved her upward. Gently, Hermione took Marta's front paws.
"It's safe now, she can't get you"
"What, you want me to apologize again?" Ron asked in disbelief. Hermione raised her eyebrow, and that expression in her eyes that Ron usually tried to avoid was growing.
"Yes, Ron, I do. Is that so difficult?"
"No."
"Prove it."
"Fine, I will." He reached out and scratched under Marta's chin. Her purrs became audible, and she seemed to be in feline heaven. This time, when Ron pulled away, there was no pain involved. He looked to Hermione.
"There, are we friends again?" He asked smugly.
"Yes." Hermione answered. Ron began to pull his potions homework out.
"No, McGonagall's, please." Hermione said, laying Marta back down on the pillow.
"What? I thought you said we were friends again." Ron responded as Marta began to lick herself free of the human germs that Hermione and Ron had bestowed upon her.
"We're close enough friends again that I'll check your Transfiguration homework, but not close enough for the Potions. You're still paying, Buddy." Hermione picked up her book again and began to settle in to read more.
"Great. What do you want me to do now? Handcraft a silver dish for Marta and serve her fresh food in it every day?"
"Not a bad idea." Ron was beginning to think that he was better off silent most of the time.
"That was sarcasm, Hermione, you know what some people consider as funny?"
"I know."
"Then what do you want?" Hermione put her book down again.
"I want a quiet night."
"What? How am I going to be able to help you with that?"
"I want you to take Marta tonight, to sleep in the boys dorms with you."
"Hermione, I sleep in a dorm with four other boys, one of them being Neville, who is afraid of sleeping with a teddy bear because it might suffocate him. How am I going to survive them with her around?"
Hermione shrugged.
"Do you think it's any easier with Lavender around? I really don't understand her – she was fine with a baby rabbit, but she can't seem to handle a kitten."
"Is there something else you want?"
"No kitty sleepover, no Potions homework."
And with that, Hermione picked up her Transfiguration book, and that was that.
"I really don't understand why you gave into her, Ron." Harry remarked, shaking his head as Ron set up Marta's litter box and food that night in the boy's dorm.
"If Mum finds out that I'm failing, my butt is going to be dragged home and pinned to the wall within a week, Harry. I need to keep my grades up." Ron said, shaking the litter box to smooth the sand.
"What about Neville?" Harry asked skeptically.
"Well, as long as I sleep with my back toward him and keep a firm hand on her, I figure we should be okay." He stood up and faced Harry.
"Pick up time is in ten minutes in the common room. Want to come with?" Harry shrugged.
"Sure, why not?"
They made their way down the spiral staircase to the common room, where a roaring fire was blazing in the fireplace. The boys took a seat in their favorite seats in front of the fire.
"So why exactly is Hermione not handing the Dracula cat over right away?" Harry asked quizzically.
"She says she needs some prepping, or something along those lines" Ron scoffed. "Honestly, she treats that cat like a little kid."
"Just remember the mother speech I gave you that night, Ron. It'll keep you sane, I swear."
"Harry? That reminder is coming a little late. I'm past sane at this point." At that moment, Crookshanks came trotting across the common room and jumped into Ron's chair, settling comfortably on his leg. Ron shook his head.
"See what I mean, Harry? Four years ago, this cat would hiss at me whenever he saw me. Now, he's so jealous of that blood-sucker that he comes and sits on me." He absent mindedly began stroking the ginger head. "We're in this together, aren't we? You won't get the attention you once had, and I don't get the homework I once did."
Crookshanks began to purr. Ron was actually enjoying the cat's company. He found it sort of endearing.
Hermione came down the girl's dorm stairs holding a large pink bundle. On closer inspection, Harry could see a small black head protruding from a blanket.
Hermione made her way to where the boys were sitting and faced Ron. Seeing the bundle, Crookshanks jumped off Ron's lap and walked toward the girl's dorm, tail high with indignation.
"That cat is too smart for his own good," Ron marveled. "He doesn't want to be anywhere near that de – kitten. What's the blanket for? I thought you gave me everything."
"This is her lucky blanket, she sleeps on it every night. And make sure she sleeps on your bed with you, otherwise she might get hurt."
"Yes Mom," Ron mocked, taking the blanket. "Everything will be fine, Hermione, don't worry."
"Don't forget, she only gets half a scoop of food in the morning."
"Hermione! Relax!" Ron began to make his way towards the boys dorm, closely followed by Harry as the blanket started to squirm.
"Oh, and Ron?"
Annoyed, Ron turned to look at the nagging girl.
"What now?"
"Remember, when she wakes you up tomorrow morning, put her in her litter box first thing." Ron sighed.
"Hermione, the hardest part will be keeping Neville sane. Don't worry, I have it under control.
"RON! GET THIS BEAST AWAY FROM ME!" Neville hollered. Marta was in one of her hyper spurts, running laps around the room. She would start under Neville's bed, run under everyone else's, around the side, and then start again. The fact that she was running around like mad woman didn't bother any of the boys; in fact, they were all hoping that she would get distracted and run into wall, but Marta was marking her laps. And she was marking her laps by biting Neville's foot. Neville was sitting at the foot of his bed, trying to write a letter home to his grandmother, but was interrupted every thirty seconds.
"Neville, I don't want her running on my head! Just two more minutes, please!" Ron begged.
"OW! I WANT THIS THING PUT TO BED NOW!" Neville screamed, standing on his bed.
"I'm sure she'll stop soon, Hermione still gets as much homework done as she used to, that monster has to sleep sometime!" It was then that Marta finally plopped herself on the floor and began to lick herself.
"See? What did I tell you?" Ron picked up the small ball of fur and placed her on his bed. Miffed, Neville sat back down and continued his letter. Marta gave Ron one of her green stares of death, and proceeded to explore his bed. She looked under every blanket, and sniffed every inch.
"Good luck sleeping tonight, Ron." Harry smirked, climbing into bed.
"Would you like to take her tonight, Harry?" Ron asked innocently.
"No, that's alright, you need your Potions homework checked, don't you?"
"I'm sure Hermione trusts you more then she trusts me, Harry." At this, Harry shot Ron his own green stare of death.
"Good night, Ron." And with that, Harry pulled his covers over his head and turned in for the night.
"Good night, Harry" Ron muttered. "When Ginny gets one, guess who's babysitting, because I won't." He turned to Marta, who was now trying to explore beneath his pillow. He grabbed her bushy tail and pulled her to him. She growled at him.
"Too bad, Dracula, it's bedtime." He held her to his chest and after several moments, she stopped fighting. Instead, she began to lick his fingers.
"Ew, gross!" Ron responded, pulling his hand away. He looked the kitten in the eyes and was instantly taken aback by how large and green they were.
"My, what large eyes you have." He told her. "Now, don't ever do that again, do you understand me? I have no way of knowing where that tongue of yours has been."
Marta just stared at him with her owl eyes.
"Ron, you're starting to sound like Hermione." Harry said from under his covers.
"Say that again, Harry, and you'll spend a night sleeping in the common room."
"Sorry. Won't happen again."
"Thank you." Ron pulled his comforter higher. But Marta didn't like that, and swatted him.
"Fine, be that way." Ron muttered. He slowly began to drift off. A few minutes later, Ron felt a gentle nudge on his nose, and was not surprised when he found himself looking into a pair of shiny tennis balls. Marta curled herself up right there, and Ron felt his heart melt. He reached out to pet her, and she began to purr.
"You're really not so bad." He said to her.
Marta just purred some more, curling herself tighter.
And it was at that moment, the moment of reconciliation, that Marta suddenly stood up.
She stood up to vomit all over Ron's pillow.
