The Golden Trio nonchallantly strolled into their third class of the day - Advanced Transfiguration. McGonagall was perched on her desk, in her cat form. After everyone had been seated, she jumped off the desk, and took her human form.

"This year, you will have only one project," she began. The class looked hesitant. In most classes, this would mean slack work, but for McGonagall, it meant more work than they wanted. "I have approached the Ministry with a request to teach you all how to become animagi. Now, not all of you will succeed, and those of you who do, are not going to be required to register, simply because a war is on, it would be an easy way for you to sneak through lines. However. Those of you planning on joining He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, I warn you, I will keep a record of your forms, and give them to all to Professor Dumbledore. He will know who each of you are, so don't try anything. Now, this is a long and complicated process, so partners are needed. I amnot pairing you with friends, as this needs careful observation, and a long-time rival will, nine times out of ten, notice more about you than your friends, and be more blunt about informing you. So, here are the partners. Zabini and Granger, Weasley and Parkinson, Potter and Malfoy, Bulstrode and Finnigan. Please move to sit with your respective partners."

The whole class grumbled about the insanity of the professors as they moved.

Nothing extraordinary happened in History of Magic, but then nothing ever did. No, the final card Fate played came when the trio split ways. Hermione for Muggle Studies, Ron for Advanced Divination, and Harry for Medicinal Magics.

Nothing interesting happened for Ron, save for being awakened by a mental Trelawny predicting the death of 'one as near to you as a brother.'

Hermione reached Muggle Studies last, and nearly late. The only seat remaining was beside Blaise Zabini. He greated her with an incline of his head before turning to listen to the professor. Hasta was new. Fresh from a wizarding grad school, and full of energy. She was not nearly as evil as the rest of the professors that day, hermione concluded, as the assignment for their 'partner project' was laid out. The partners were simply who was sitting beside you, not who she chose to torment you with. The remainder fo class was peaceful, and dare I say pleasant? Yes, I do.

Harry made his way to the Hospital Wing to find Madame Pomfrey, and his only class mate already there.

"Malfoy?" he sniggered. "Isn't this 'servant stuff' or something."

"Give me some credit, Potter. I was eleven, then."

"Boys," the Madame scolded. "If you don't mind, I would like to actually teach you something between your bickerings."

Dinner was another interesting experience. The four house tables had been replaced by a huge circular table. "The Knights of the Round Table," Hermione mused.

Before dinner began, Dumbledore stood. "I have recently discovered a rathger ingenious idea drifting through my old and addled skull." There were whisperes from the Slytherins of, "Addled indeed" before he continued. "To promote inter-house relationships, I have made a seventh-year dorm. You each have only one dorm-mate, and no, they will not be changed. You will find all your belongings already moved. And each dorm has its own common room, as well as its own password. Good luck! Dinner is served."

"This is truly madness," Ron exclaimed on their way to their new dorms.

"What is it, Weasley," Draco laughed, "afraid one of us will murder you in your sleep?"

"Yeah, something like that, Malfoy."

"Maybe that's why Dumbledore made each room have its own password, Ron," Harry suggested.

"How can you...? But you... Did you just...?"

Hermione laughed. "Easy, Ron. Breathe. Think. Now, formulate your question."

Ron simply glared at the brunette, whose eyes were dancing with mirth.

"I hate you," he declared. "I hate you all." And he slammed the door to his dorm shut behind him.

The three behind him laughed together, before realising what they were doing.

"Well, er, I'm going to the library," Hermione said standing up and gathering her bag.

"Big surprise, there," Harry laughed as she left the room. "Guess it's just you and me, then, Malfoy."

"I guess it is."

The two took out their transfiguration books, and got down to the work.

A/N: Sorry about the long break guys. I had a serious brain clot on this one.