Since the introduction of nonverbal spells, studies had become a lot harder. Almost every class now required students to perform their spells this way, and it was proving to be a lot harder than expected. When passing the common areas or study halls, one would see a room full of very constipated-looking teens, purple in the face, and staring at their papers. All of them trying to force their spells to work. This, combined with the extra studying everyone was doing for their N.E.W.T. exams meant less and less free time.
While difficult, the nonverbal spells also proved to be helpful when it came to studying in the library. Hermione and Malfoy had continued to help each other on and off, which turned out to be invaluable to them both, as even Hermione had recently had some trouble following class instructions.
On Tuesday of that week, Malfoy seemed unusually agitated. He kept glancing between his book and some parcel sitting at the edge of the table.
"You alright?" Hermione asked.
"Of course," he replied curtly, glowering down at his book again.
Hermione, upon noticing the book was one of their Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks; Incurable Curses, Hexes, and Jinxes said, "If it's the Flagrante Curse you're struggling with, I can help. We actually learned that last year in… well, Dumbledore's Army". She finished hesitantly, remembering as she spoke that Malfoy had been in the Inquisitorial Squad, and had tried to hunt down members of the DA under Umbridge's leadership.
Malfoy raised an eyebrow as he looked up at her, and laughed. Hermione was taken aback at this switch of emotion, and as this was the first time she'd seen him laugh at something that wasn't someone's pain.
"That was so stupid," he said. Hermione waited for Malfoy to continue, unsure what he meant.
"Just- that whole year," he sighed, "I joined Umbridge's narc squad because I thought it would help my chances at working within the ministry, especially after my father's arrest. Some good it did me," Malfoy looked back down at his book with renewed anger.
After a moment of silence, he said, "I have to go. I've other things to do," And haphazardly stuffed his papers and books back into his bag, placing the package nicely on top. He then walked off rather briskly.
"Well that was a bit dramatic wasn't it?" said a voice from behind Hermione, startling her half to death. It was Emerich Switch, lounging again in the living room painting nearby.
Hermione pinched her lips haughtily and returned to her studies.
Later that week, Hermione, Harry, and Ron were all eating breakfast when Harry brought up Hagrid. None of them had taken his class this year, and he was worried Hagrid was angry with them. Between studies, prefect duties, and being forced to listen to Harry's conspiracies every other day, Hermione had entirely forgotten.
"Oh no! We've got to go explain. What if he thinks we hated his class?" Hermione said.
"But we did hate his class," Ron replied, "I for one am thrilled to be rid of the skrewts. Not to mention, he'd probably still want us to nanny Grawp for him".
"Either way, we'll have to go visit him, " Harry said. "But it won't be until after tryouts this morning."
They all seemed satisfied with this, though Hermione was still frowning at Ron's comment.
Just then, Professor Slughorn walked over to them, "Harry! So glad to run into you. I'm having a little dinner party tonight, and I couldn't forget to invite The Chosen One himself!" He chuckled and turned to Hermione to give a little bow, "Of course, you are also invited, Miss Granger".
He nodded to them both and headed off as if Ron wasn't even there. Ron huffed at this, mumbling something under his breath.
"I can't go anyway," said Harry, "Snape's given me detention"
"You really shouldn't have spoken to him like that," Hermione said disapprovingly.
"I dunno, it cracked me up," Ron chimed in, giving Harry a cheeky grin.
"Shall we go then?" Hermione asked after rolling her eyes. Harry and Ron nodded at this, and they all stood up to head out toward the quidditch pitch.
It was a very long morning, and several hours before they were able to leave the pitch. Harry would give each person five chances to score a point, block the quaffle, etc., before making a decision. Every time he would turn someone away, there would be an argument, he'd have to yell at everyone until they accepted that they'd been rejected, and the pattern would begin all over again.
By the end of it all Katie Bell, Demelza Robins, and Ginny Weasley were the new chasers. Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote took Fred and George's place as the new beaters, though they were nowhere near as brilliant as the twins had been. And Ron had just beaten Cormac Mclaggen for the position of keeper.
Once they finally made it to Hagrid's hut, It had turned out that while he was upset about not seeing the trio, he was more out of sorts because his oldest friend and pet, Aragog, was dying. The three then set to spend their time with him laying on their condolences, as well as adoration for Hagrid's strength to continue teaching through all of this. By the time he waved them off, the mood was a great deal more pleasant. The sun was already setting, so the trio raced across the grounds to the great hall, just in time for dinner.
The rest of the night, Ron made a big deal of himself, strutting as though he was eight feet tall, still gloating on behalf of his new position. McLaggen, sill indignant about his loss, glowered every time he passed by.
Once back in the common room, they all sat down around the fireplace. Ron was lounging mindlessly on the sofa as Harry began looking through his potions book yet again, which never failed to annoy Hermione.
"Are you all invited to Professor Slughorn's dinner too?" asked Ginny, who'd just sat down across from Ron.
Ron gestured glumly to Harry and Hermione responding, "These two are."
"Oh. Well, I just wanted to say I'm heading down in a few minutes if anyone wants to come with me," She glanced at Harry briefly before heading off again.
Hermione smirked at Harry as she began reading a copy of the Daily Prophet, which had caught her eye, as it mentioned the Malfoy family.
"It says here, the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects has been to search Malfoy manner based on an anonymous tip. But they haven't found anything," Hermione said to Harry, handing him the paper, and feeling unexpectedly relieved at the news.
"That was my tip!" Harry said, and scanned the article frustratedly.
"He could've snuck something into school," He decided finally.
"Nope, they check everyone that comes in for any dark materials. Even all the mail," Hermione responded, hoping he would leave the conversation be.
"But what if-"
"Oh drop it, Harry," Ron sighed.
He stood up and started to the boy's dormitories leaving Harry and Hermione sitting there in silence.
"Do you think he's just upset he wasn't invited to Slug's party?" Harry asked.
"It's not like you're going either. Or did you forget you have detention with Snape?"
Harry sighed at this reminder and slumped back on the floor. Hermione, though unenthused about attending this party, started looking around for Ginny as she decided she might as well head down to the dungeons.
A/N: Hi everyone! My name's Lily, and I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far.
Just an update that I've pretty much caught my chapter uploads up with how much I've written. I'm in the process of writing chapter 8 right now. So from this chapter on, I'm going to upload about one chapter a week okay?
PS: I suggest getting an account and/or following my story if you want to know exactly when I update, or so that I can respond to any questions you may have, as I can't do that with guest reviewers. And please let me know (through reviews or PMs) if you have any suggestions or requests about stories. Even if I can't get to your idea for this story, I love hearing it! And maybe I'll incorporate it in another one later :) I hope everyone had a nice holiday, and stay safe!
