Chapter 12
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AN1: Thank you for the support. PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.
TO THE GUEST REVIWER ABOUT SIRIUS: You're going to have to wait and see exactly why Sirius breaks out of Azkaban, there is going to be a slight difference from canon. Although as I edit this I'm starting to get another idea regarding Sirius that I'm tempted to go with, but either way be assured that Hermione is Sirius's first priority.
September 24th 1991
It has been eleven days since Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville accidently found the three headed dogs and since then the only time Hermione has spoken to Harry and Ron is when Harry received a Nimbus 2000 broom from Minerva to use when playing Seeker.
Even though both Neville and Hermione are a little curious about the creature, Hermione slightly more than Neville, neither are very keen to have another run in with it and so they have tried to put it out of their minds, though Hermione, to tell the truth, keeps thinking of more things that she wants to talk to her Papa about when she goes home for Christmas.
Even though it is about one am Hermione is wide awake, sitting in the common room sitting by the window and just staring out at the moon, the full moon.
"I thought I'd find you down here." A voice says and Hermione turns to see Neville walking down from the boys dormitory, "He'll be okay, Mione." Neville says as he walks over to his friend, "He always is." He says a she sits down next to Hermione, trying to be reassuring.
"He's not always." Hermione answers, "This will be the first time no ones waiting for him." Hermione says, pain in her voice.
"I'm sure Dan and Emma are." Neville says as he is sure that they would be.
"It's not the same." Hermione says, shaking her head and looking back to the moon, "When it first happened he had his parents." Hermione tells Neville, "At school, and after, he had Dad and Uncle James, and Peter." Hermione says, "And after… after he had me." Hermione says, both of them knowing what after means, "This is the first time he'll be alone, the first time he'll have no one waiting for him, no one to help."
"Your Papa's strong, Mione." Neville reminds Hermione, "He always makes it through, he always recovers."
"They're getting worse, Nev." Hermione says, tears coming to her eyes, "It's getting harder for him to recover, and I should be there to help." She tells him, "He needs me." She says as tears start to roll down her face and as they do Neville leans over and hugs his friend, having no idea what else to do.
"Oh, Mione, he'll be okay." Neville says as he rubs Hermione's back in comfort, "And we both know that you worrying about him is the last thing that he'd want."
"I can't not." Hermione answers as she rests her head on Neville's shoulder and the two of them drift into silence.
"Are you ever planning on talking to Harry and Ron again?" Neville asks curious, breaking the silence after a few minutes.
"I don't know." Hermione answers, pushing back from Neville, "They were so reckless. They could have gotten so much trouble… and I don't know how to talk to them." Hermione admits, "I've never been really good at talking to other children, other than you of course."
"Me either." Neville responds and the two of them exchange smiles, "We should go to bed, you know Remus would want you to look after yourself and not worry about him."
"Yes, I know." Hermione confirms, and with one last, long, look at the moon Hermione stands up, and both she and Neville head up to bed, Neville looking worriedly at his friend as she goes.
After not much sleep as it took her a while to fall asleep and she kept waking up, Hermione gets up and all day Neville notices that Hermione is distracted and honestly he doesn't blame her.
"I'll see you at dinner." Hermione tells Neville after they walk out of their last class, "I need…." She starts to say, but Neville cuts her off,
"I know. I'll see you later." Neville says and the two of them go in different directions. When Neville rounds the corner he almost runs right into some, "Oh, I'm sorry, Harry." Neville says when he realises who the person is.
"It's okay." Harry assures him, "Is Hermione okay?" he asks as even though he finds Hermione annoying a lot of the time he still feels a desire to make sure she's okay as she hasn't seemed like it all day.
"Why do you ask?" Neville asks, stuttering slightly as he tries to think of a lie.
"She hasn't seemed like herself today." Harry explains to Neville, "She's seemed distracted, like something's wrong." Harry explains, as he's noticed all day that something seems wrong with Hermione, he's just not sure if anyone else has, "You're friends, do you know if she's okay?" he asks, it being clear that he is actually concerned.
"She's fine." Neville lies, "She's just worried about potions, and Snape." He says, it being the first lie he can think off.
"Oh, okay." Harry says, feeling a bit better, "Are you coming to dinner?" He asks curious.
"Yeah." Neville answers and the two of them head down to dinner, Neville still being concerned while Harry isn't.
After leaving Neville Hermione makes her way to Minerva's office as she knows that if anyone at Hogwarts knows how her Papa is doing after the fall moon then it would be here. Once Hermione gets to Minerva's office she knocks on the door and hopes that her Head of House and surrogate Aunt is there.
"Enter." Minerva's voice says and as Hermione walks into the room she doesn't look at all surprised to see her.
"Professor, I was wondering….." Hermione starts to ask, but Minerva cuts her off.
"He's okay." Minerva says, answering the question because she knows what Hermione is going to asks.
"He is?" Hermione asks, sounding relieved.
"Yes, he's recovering I spoke to him several hours ago and he is expecting you call." Minerva informs Hermione.
"My call?" Hermione asks, then she realises what that means, "You mean…..." Hermione starts to ask.
"Yes, I do." Minerva confirms, "This will not be a regular occurrence, but I know you need to reassure yourself this time." She explains.
"Thank you, Minnie." Hermione says gratefully.
"You better make the call I'm sure he's just as anxious as you are." Minerva informs Hermione.
"Okay." Hermione says before walking over to the fireplace and making the call.
Just like the last time she made a floo call Hermione keeps her eyes closed until her head stops moving, and once it does she opens them and once more sees her lounge room, with a pair of legs sitting on the chair that her Papa frequently sits in.
"Papa." Hermione says.
"Hermione." Remus says and he moves, quiet slowly, over to the fire and squats down, "I've missed you." He tells her.
"I've missed you to." Hermione responds, "Are you alright?" she asks concerned.
"It was no worse than usual." Remus assures his daughter, "How school?"
"Good." Hermione answers, being tempted to explain about the three headed dog but as Minerva can hear she figures that it wouldn't be a good idea, "I'm sorry that I wasn't there to give you chocolate, and a hug."
"Oh Hermione, you have no reason to apologise." Remus assures his daughter, hating that she thinks she should, "You're at Hogwarts, I want you to enjoy yourself, learn lots, and stop worrying about me." Remus tells his daughter.
"I'll try." Hermione answers.
"Please do more than try, Hermione." Remus tells his daughter, "Isn't it dinner time? Have you eaten?"
"Not yet." Hermione answers.
"Go, eat." Remus tells his daughter, "I love you, Hermione." He tells his daughter.
"Love you too, Papa." Hermione says before pulling her head back and ending the call.
Once she is fully back in Minerva's office Hermione takes a moment to collect herself before she stands up,
"Thank you for letting me do that." Hermione says gratefully.
"You're welcome, Hermione." Minerva says, "You better head off to dinner." She says.
"Yes, I guess I should, thank you again." Hermione says before leaving the office, feeling much better than when she entered.
October 31st 1991
It has been a little over five weeks since the first full moon since Hermione started Hogwarts. For the most part Hermione, along with Neville, are very much enjoying their time at Hogwarts, with one big exception. Potions class is something that isn't very enjoyable for Hermione, Neville or even Harry as Neville isn't very skilled and Snape makes his nerves worse which leads to more accidents, and Snape is determine to see Harry and Hermione as only their parents' children and nothing else. So, every potion class the two of them have to endure Snape treating them very unfairly. Surprisingly Hermione hasn't received another detention as she has managed not to talk back to him, even though there have been times when she desperately wants to, but Snape has taken a lot of points from both of them.
It is Halloween and Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron, along with the rest of their classmates are in the Charms class that everyone has been looking forward to, making objects fly.
"Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick." Professor Flitwick tells the class, "And saying the magic words properly is very important, too- never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest." he informs the class before separating them into groups.
To Hermione's annoyance, as she hasn't talked to him or Harry since the day Harry's broom arrived, she has been partnered with Ron.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron shouts, waving his long arms like a windmill.
"No, you're saying it wrong." Hermione says annoyed, "It's Win-gar-dium- levi-o-sa. You need to make the 'gar' nice and long." Hermione says, honestly trying to help.
"You do it, then, if you're so clever." Ron snarls, seeing Hermione as annoying rather than helpful.
"Fine, I will." Hermione says, honestly Ron is getting on her last nerve, as she rolls up her sleeves, flicks her wand and says, "Wingardium Leviosa." Causing the feather to rise of her desk and hover above everyone's head.
"Oh, well do." Professor Flitwick says, clapping at Hermione, "Everyone see here, Miss Granger's done it." He says and for a second Hermione is confused then she realises who he is talking about as she hasn't completely gotten used to going by Granger yet.
For the rest of the class it is clear to Hermione that Ron isn't too happy with her so she chooses to ignore him and instead helps Neville, helps him learn, and by the end of the class he manages to cast the charm perfectly.
"Thank you, Mione. Thank you so much." Neville says to his friend as they leave Charms class, a great smile on his face.
"You don't have to thank me, Neville." Hermione says, "You did it on your own. You have the potential inside of you, you just have to believe in yourself, just like I believe in you." She tells him and the two of them exchange smiles, as they do, they both hear the loud voice of Ron,
"It's wonder no one can stand her." He says, "She's a nightmare, honestly." Ron says and it is more than clear exactly who he is talking about.
"Mione." Neville says worriedly and he turns to his friend who has tears running down his face, "MIONE." He calls as Hermione knocks into Harry and goes running off.
"I think she heard you." Harry comments.
"So, she must've noticed she's got no friends." Ron comments.
"Yes, she does." Neville says, feeling a sense of bravery that he hasn't felt before, "I'm her friend, and I don't like it when anyone talks that way about my friend." He says before angrily pushing past Ron and chasing after Hermione.
After leaving Harry and Ron Neville checks all the places that Hermione is likely to have gone, Gryffindor Tower, the Library, the tree that she likes to study at as well as just sit by, but to Neville's disappointment he doesn't find his friend anywhere. Honestly Neville is just about to go ask Minerva whether she has seen her when Parvati Patil informs him that she is crying in the girl's bathroom, and so he heads right there.
For a few minutes Neville waits outside the bathroom, debating what to do, but then after he is reasonably sure that Hermione is the only one inside Neville heads inside the bathroom.
Once inside the bathroom, and feeling very awkward in doing so, Neville heads over to the only closed stall and knocks on the door,
"Mione." He says as he does, and hears someone crying.
"Nev." Hermione says, through her tears, though she doesn't open the door, "You shouldn't be in here."
"My friend needs me, where else should I be?" Neville asks, "Don't listen to Ron, he was just jealous, being mean. You're not a nightmare Mione." Neville assures his friend.
"He was right." Hermione says, it being clear that she believes that which causes Neville to frown, "Go to class, Neville." She says, it being clear that she is still crying.
"I will when you do." Neville responds.
"I'm not going to class." Hermione says, "And I want to be left alone."
"Mione…" Neville starts to say.
"Please Nev, leave me alone." Hermione begs.
For a few seconds Neville debates what to do then he makes his decision, "Okay, I'll go, but only so that I can make notes on what you missed and collect your homework." Neville says, knowing Hermione will want that when she is feeling better, "I'll be back." Neville promises before leaving his friend, wondering whether he made the right decision.
Even though it means a lot to Hermione that Neville came once he leaves she is a little glad he is gone as what she wants the most right now is to be alone, because Ron was right, she is a nightmare.
For the rest of the afternoon Neville finds himself worrying about his friend more than anything else and because of that he sits as far away from Ron as he can during classes and the only reason he pays attention at all is so that he can give Hermione the right information.
Once classes end for the day Neville doesn't follow the rest of the school to the Great Hall instead he headed back to the bathroom where Hermione is. Entering the bathroom, it feeling slightly less odd to do it this time, Neville heads over to the stall where Hermione was before, the stall that still has its door closed and knocks,
"Leave me alone." Hermione says, it being clear that she is still crying.
"No." Neville says as he sits down next to the stall, "I'm not leaving this time, Mione. I'm going to wait here until you're ready to come out." He says, "The rest of the school is at the feast, we're not going to be disturbed." He informs her, making himself comfortable because he knows that it could be a while.
"Thank you." Hermione's voice says, it being barley loud enough for Neville to hear.
"You're welcome." Neville responds and the two of them drift into silence, the only sound being that of Hermione crying.
Honestly Neville isn't even sure how long he has been sitting on the bathroom floor when the door opens and something, which is clearly not a teacher or student, walks in,
"Mione, you need to come out! You need to come out right now!" Neville says banging on the door, sounding completely panicked, as a troll comes into the bathroom, "MIONE." Neville yells in terror as the troll starts to walk towards them.
"What is it?" Hermione asks, opening the door and looking at Neville, her eyes being more grey than brown, just like they always are when she is feeling a particular strong emotion, usually sadness, wonder, or fear, but because Neville isn't sure he can form anymore words he just points and Hermione turns to see a twelve-foot-tall, grey troll, and the second she sees it she lets out a terrified scream which causes the troll to swing at them. Reacting on instinct both Hermione and Neville just pull each other to the ground, both trying to get the other out of the way of the troll's club.
As Hermione and Neville try and get away from the troll, which is advancing on them, while protecting each other, the door opens once more and Harry and Ron run in.
"Confuse it!" Harry says, sounding desperate as he seizes a tap and throws it as hard as he can against the wall, to the relief of both Hermione and Neville that makes the troll stop and looks around.
Once the troll spots Harry and realises that he was the source of the noise it starts to head towards him, raising his club as he does.
Seeing that Ron throws another pipe, but this time at the roll as he yells, "Oy, pea-brain." Even though the troll didn't seem to notice getting hit it definitely did notice Ron yelling and so it once more changes course and heads towards him, allowing Harry to slip around and get to Hermione and Neville,
"Come on, run, run!" Harry yells at Hermione and Neville trying to pull them towards the door, but they are both seem to be frozen in terror, "NEVILLE! HERMIONE! COME ON." He yells and that seems to get through to Neville.
"Mione, we've got to move." Neville says to his friend, honestly he isn't surprised that she is so shocked as Remus has been telling her about magical creatures for a long time so she knows how dangerous they are.
"Right, move." Hermione says, Neville's and Harry's words finally getting through to her, but that's not going to be as easy as all the yelling has seemed to make the toll crazy it heads straight to Ron, who has no escape.
Realising that he has to do something Harry does the first thing he can think of and leaps onto the troll, managing to get his arms around the troll's neck from behind. As Harry jumps he has his wand in his hand, which goes up the troll's nostrils.
Unsurprisingly the troll quickly reacts to that, causing Harry to have to cling on for dear life as it turns and tries to either throw Harry off, rip him of or hit him with the club.
"HARRY." Hermione and Neville both yell, having no idea what to do to help, as Ron pulls out his wand and says the first spell that comes to mind,
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
The second Ron speaks the enchantment the club flies out of the trolls hand, rises high in the air then turns and drops, with a crack, onto the trolls head. After being hit with its own club the troll sways on the spot then falls flat on its face, causing the whole room to tremble as it does.
After a few seconds Harry gets to his feet, and as Ron stands with his wand still raised Hermione manages to find her voice,
"Is it dead?" She asks.
"I don't think so." Harry answers, "I think it's just been knocked out." He comments as he bends down and pulls his wand out of the troll's nostril. As it is now covered in what looks to be lumpy grey glue he uses the troll's trousers to clean it.
"Troll boogers, gross." Neville, who is still looking quiet terrified, responds.
"You're telling me." Harry comments and as he does there is a slamming sound and loud footsteps which causes all four of them to look up just in time to see Minerva, closely followed by Snape and the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Quirrell, burst in the room.
As the burst into the room Quirrell clutches his heart, Snape bends over the troll and Hermione and Neville quickly realises that Minerva is furious as her lips are thin and white. Looking at Minerva both of them are sure that they have never seen her looking so angry, which says a lot considering they have both been spending time with her for their entire life.
"What on earth were you thinking off?" Minerva asks, looking at Harry and Ron, sounding completely furious, it being clear that she hasn't noticed Hermione and Neville, "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?" Minerva asks as Snape gives Harry a piercing look.
"Please, Professor, they were looking for me." Hermione says, knowing what she has to do, knowing what the right thing to do is.
"Miss Granger! Mr Longbottom!" Minerva says, honestly shocked to see the two of them.
"I went looking for the troll because I thought I could deal with it on my own… you know, because I've read all about them." Hermione lies, trying to be as convincing as possible as she knows that there is no way for them all to get out of trouble and Harry, Ron and Neville wouldn't be in the mess if it wasn't for her. After all, Neville was only in the bathroom because he was worried about her and it is clear that Harry and Ron came looking for her, so she should take the blame, "If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now." Hermione says, "Harry stuck his wand up its nose, Ron knocked it out with its own club and Neville got me out of the way." She explains, "They didn't have time to come fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when it arrived." Hermione explains as the three boys try their best to make it look like this isn't new information to them.
"Well, in that case." Minerva says, staring at the four of them, not completely believing the story, not that Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron can tell that, "Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tacking a mountain troll on your own?" Minerva asks, looking straight at Hermione in an attempt to read the truth on the girls face, but Hermione is looking down at the ground so that Minerva can't do that very thing, "Ten points will be taken from Gryffindor for this, and I'm very disappointed in you." Minerva says, and honestly those words hurt Hermione more than any amount of points, before looking between Harry, Ron and Neville, "Well, I still stay you were lucky, but not many first years could have taken on a full-grown mountain troll. Each of you win Gryffindor five points and Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this." Minerva says, "If none of you are hurt at all then you better head back to Gryffindor tower. Students are finishing the feast in their houses." She reveals and Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron all start to walk towards the door.
"Hold on Miss Granger, I would like a word with you in the hallway first." Minerva says causing Harry and Ron to exchange looks and Neville to look worried at Hermione.
"Yes, Professor." Hermione says and the four students and Minerva head out of the bathroom.
"Hurry along." Minerva says to the three boys, who seem to make no effort to walk more than a few steps outside of the corridor, and with one last look at Hermione Harry, Ron and Neville head down their corridor, heading towards Gryffindor tower.
"What really happened?" Minerva asks Hermione once the two of them are alone in the corridor.
"I told you, I went looking for the troll, Harry, Ron and Neville came to find me." Hermione answers, once more attempting to lie as she wants to protect the others.
"Hermione I've been spending time with you for most of your life. I've watched you grow up and I know that going after a troll because you read about them isn't something you'd ever do; you know better." Minerva says, being able to tell that Hermione is lying but she doesn't know why or what the real story is, "If you want to change your story now's your chance."
"No, I think I'm going to stick with that one." Hermione admits, and then, feeling a sense of bravery that she could have used earlier she says, "I better go, I wouldn't want to be out of bed after curfew. Goodnight Professor." Hermione says before she starts to walk down the corridor, forcing herself not to look back at her surrogate aunt.
"I'm going to tell your father about this, Hermione." Minerva say and honestly those nine simple words fill Hermione with dreed, but even so Hermione forces herself to keep walking and not think about the fact that her father is going to be very disappointed.
A couple of minutes after leaving Minerva Hermione walks into the Gryffindor corridor where Harry, Ron and Neville are all waiting for her.
"What did Professor McGonagall want?" Harry asks as soon as he sees her.
"She wanted the truth, but I told her that I already told her it." Hermione reveals.
"Thanks." Harry, Ron and Neville say together.
"Thank you, all of you." Hermione says, looking between the three.
"We should eat." Ron suggests.
"Yeah, we should." Neville says and together the four head over to the plates, it being clear that they have all just become friends, as it turns out that's a side effect of fighting a mountain troll together.
November 1st 1991
The next morning it becomes clear that the Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville's friendship wasn't just a one-night thing, but a real one. Together they head down to breakfast and happily talk the entire walk.
"Here comes mail." Ron comments a few minutes after the group of four sit down to eat.
Even though it has been two months since they started Hogwarts Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville still aren't used to the sight of a hundred owls so they all look up and watch, as they do Hermione sees a very familiar owl, coming towards her.
As he noticed the same thing Neville looks at Hermione who is sitting right next to him and notices that his friend has paled. So, he reaches out and takes her hand under the table, just as Omega drops a letter in front of her.
"Read it, you'll wonders and worry all day if you don't." Neville whispers to Hermione.
"Okay." Hermione says as she reaches out and takes the letter.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Harry asks concerned.
"Professor McGonagall said that she was going to write my parents. This would be the response." Hermione explains as she fiddles with the letter.
"Oh, that's not going to be pleasant." Ron says, feeling sorry for Hermione.
"No, it's not." Hermione confirms as she takes a deep breath and opens the letter,
Dear Hermione,
Minerva informed me of what happened last night and first I would like to say that I am very glad that you are okay, trolls are dangerous and you are very lucky that you weren't hurt.
Second, Minerva told me the story that you told her and I agree, you wouldn't do that, you should know better, I taught you better. I will be asking you what really happens when you come home, and you will tell me the truth. A troll is dangerous Hermione and you could have been killed, if it you did go looking for the troll, however unlikely that I feel that is, I am very disappointed in you. You do not go looking for something that would kill you in a second If given the chance, Hermione. I thought I taught you that.
I hope you enjoy your next few weeks at Hogwarts and don't get into any more dangerous situations.
Love Papa
As she reads the letter Hermione feels as sinking feeling in the bottom of her stomach growing as she hates that her Papa is so disappointed in her.
"Bad?" Harry asks when Hermione finally looks up from her letter.
"Yes, my father's very disappointed in me." Hermione says, having had to choose her words very carefully.
"Well, it's not all bad, he'll probably forget all about it by the time the holidays start." Ron says, trying to be helpful, "Cheer up we've got potions." He jokes and he receives three shocked looks in response.
"I was kidding." Ron explains.
"Yes, the perfect way to start the morning. Snape trying to take an even fifty points of us." Harry says.
"I think after last night he's going to aim for one hundred." Hermione comments as honestly it would not surprise her.
"Wouldn't surprise me." Ron says, "The git seems to really hate you two." He says, looking between Hermione and Harry.
"That he does." Harry confirms, looking like he is about to ask something.
"We should head do the dungeons, the quicker potions start the quicker it will be over." Hermione comments, wanting to say something before Harry can ask his question as she suspects that it may be something along the lines of, 'do you know why' and she doesn't want to lie.
"True." Neville says, realising what Hermione is trying to do, and without another word the four of them get up and head out the great hall, all four of them wondering whether potions will be better or worse now that they are all friends.
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