Author Note: Well this chapter has some fanservice in it, has some setups for later and some new characters. The first years will NOT be joining in any of the naughty fun. They will serve a different purpose in the plot. Otherwise the next chapter begins.
===xxx===xx
As they came walking inside they saw Professor McGonnegal with the new first years. Looking up she smiled, "Ahh Mr Potter. Could you and your group keep track of these wee bairns while I go and assist Professor Flitwick at the front gates. Apparently the plans for security have not taken into account the sheer number of student who need checked."
"Yes ma'am. We don't mind." Hermione agreed.
"Thank you." The professor said then headed down the path.
Looking over at the first years unsorted as of yet Harry chuckled, "Did we ever look so small and nervous."
Hermione leaned in, "I almost wet myself when I walked into the castle. I was hyperventilating so bad I started chanting all the spells I'd learned to calm down."
"Ron was beyond relieved we'd not have to wrestle a troll." Harry said.
Neville chuckled, "I remember him talking about that."
"So do you think he'll be coming back?"
"Probably at some point." Harry said then mumbled under his breath , "Maybe"
One of the First years gasped when she saw who was watching them and came running over her brown pony tail streaming behind her as she skidded to a stop.
"Ohmerlin'sbeard you're Harry POTTER!" she squeed, "I've read every article about you and have the Quibbler interview you did on my wall. You're my greatest hero! Can I touch your wand hand?" She was staring at Harry with wide blue doe eyes.
Harry involuntarily took a step back bumping into Neville who whispered under his breath, "Steady there man."
"uh. Wha. Who? Uh why?" Was the eloquent response Harry came up with.
"Oh I'm Sorry. My name is Phyllis Lindstrom. My father says I'm a spunky little filly but I'm not sure what he means by that. I'm a pure-blood but my family doesn't believe in that pure-blood supremacy stuff. I'm really excited to meet you Mr Potter." She said stepping back and giving a curtsy.
"And I thought you could say a lot without breathing." Lavender stage whispered to Hermione.
"Right uh. Well pleased to meet you." Harry said politely unsure of this girl. He glanced at Hermione who was biting her lip trying not to laugh.
"Oh sorry. I guess I'm being too presumptuous. I'm very sorry I'm really really sorry. My mother says I can be way too presumptuous. I'm not entirely certain what that means but I think it means I get on people's nerves." She said nodding rapidly. She seemed to suddenly realize she had made a mistake as she suddenly began to stammer. "Uh I'll uh. I'll just go back over with the others and uh. Sorry Mr potter sir. And uh the rest of your friends too. Uh yeah." She suddenly backed up and ran over to the other first years.
"Harry you want to go over and sign some autographs? We'll not mind." Lavender teased.
"Uh no thanks. I'm fine." Harry said grumpily.
Susan laughed, "Well I'm going to run down to the dorms and change out of this suit. I doubt we'll get into combat over the feast."
"That does sound like a good idea. Harry dear, do watch the children for me." Hermione said giving him a kiss on the cheek as she went off with Lavender and the other girls to change.
Neville chuckled, "Actually why don't we go over and talk to the kids. Maybe we can save a few of them from going to Slytherin."
Harry sighed, "Sure, but I'm not signing any autographs."
===xxx===xx
The other students had started coming in by the time the girls had returned. Neville and Harry had been sitting talking to the new students about the Hogwarts experience and things that had been going on.
Hermione came in and put her arms around Harry's waist. Whispering in his ear, "So how was it honey. Ready to be a daddy."
"Not even close." Harry evenly said with a forced smile as Professor McGonnegal stepped into the room.
"I have often said that babysitting would help lead to a reduction in accidents." Minerva said with a slight smile that she quickly hid.
"Yes ma'am. Very much so." Harry nodded, "They're all yours."
"Very well. Take your places as the rest of your classmates are already in the hall." Minerva stated in her commanding tone as she turned and started organizing the first years.
"You are up to date on your potion right?" Harry confirmed with Hermione and Luna as they moved to the Hall.
Draco was lingering by the door with his cronies, "Well Potter. Trying to drum up support from the fan club? Or are you just trying to get more cannon fodder for you to throw away?"
Harry stopped so he could stare into Draco's face. Crabbe and Goyle sneered at him ready to pounce.
"Draco. Its called being a role model. Something you are definitely not." Harry snorted then turned and walked off.
Hermione smiled sarcastically at Draco then followed Harry while the others chuckled and sneered at him and his minions as they went in to take their seats. Luna paused though and tilting her head at Draco smiled her Mona Lisa smile at him, "You know Draco I don't think you understand how the situation has changed. You should probably reconsider your attitude."
"Oh bugger off Loony. No one wants to hear your mindless drivel." Draco sneered as he stomped towards the Slytherin table.
Luna sighed, "Well I tried to warn you." She said to his retreating back before going to her Ravenclaw table.
The sorting hat was brought out and sang his song. This year it was about warning everyone not to be divided and how there was great danger in not standing united together. Harry and his friends glanced at each other as they considered the words of the song.
The first years got sorted into their houses. Phyllis wound up in Gryffindor to the amusement of Hermione and resignation of Harry. A girl named Margaret Bulstrode was sorted into Hufflepuff. Millicent looked very concerned briefly but crushed that expression when Draco looked at her with hooded eyes. Hermione elbowed Harry who leaned back and whispered that he would explain later. Dumbledore gave a welcome speech then introduced Slughorn who received a smattering of polite applause. Informing everyone that Snape would take over the position of Defense professor to the resounding applause of only the Slytherins.
===xxx===xx
Arriving in the Gryffindor Common Room the first years were looking around with wide nervous excitement or wonder still from their journey through the castle. The ADA had retreated to the boy's sixth year dorms after Hermione made a brief run to her dorm.
Hermione was sitting on Harry's bed while everyone in Gryffindor put their things away. Katie choosing to sit on Seamus' bed to his pleasure. "Well now this is a welcome sight." He grinned.
"I never did understand why the girl's stairs are charmed to prevent boys but girls can come up here without a hindrance at all." Katie shrugged leaning back on her arms.
Seamus and Dean jumped beside her on either side. "Not that I mind ye know." Seamus smirked. Katie just shoved him off the bed.
"Well according to Hogwarts a History girls do not have the same urges and drives as boys so they can be trusted a lot more not to sneak into the boys dorm." Hermione snickered.
Lavender said from Neville's bed "You know its too bad we couldn't get Luna and Susan up here too."
"Well we could but it's probably just as well they stay in their dorms for tonight at least. We don't want to attract too much attention." Harry said sitting behind Hermione. "Now what was the the toys you didn't want Flitwick to check you for?"
"Well I carried the rest of our combat suits through in this pouch," She said pulling them out and passing the boys portion of the equipment to them. "Combat knives, armor etc. I wasn't sure how it would react so snuck it through. Plus it was fun making Draco wait."
"He about threw a fit when he got delayed and didn't get up here. I wonder if he was using one of the first years to smuggle something in." Katie said with a frown as Seamus sat by her feet.
"Its possible. Millicent's younger sister was the Bulstrode that was sorted into Hufflepuff." Neville pointed out sitting beside Lavender on his bed.
"Millicent Bulstrode has a little sister?" Hermione asked in surprise
"Yeah Harry and I was talking to the first years and found out. She's the only one that is closely related to anyone here. Some cousins and stuff but that's expected among pure-bloods." Neville yawned.
"Well she's in Hufflepuff so I wonder how Millicent will react."
"I dunno. But was that all the stuff you smuggled in Hermione?" Harry chuckled tiredly.
"Well no. Uncle Bill and I had a few muggle things we wanted to see if they would work here. A tape deck, GPS receiver, A satphone. And a pistol." She quietly said.
"A pistol why?" Dean asked with a frown.
"Well the Protego spell was created during the age of arrows and is able to handle black powder firearms. We don't know though if it'll work against modern weapons. With Black powder the explosion lets the wizard know that the ball is on the way and they can cast the spell to block the shot quickly enough, as the ball moves a lot slower than a modern firearm's ammunition. So the theory is that a wizard would not be able to use the Protego or apparate out of the way of a modern bullet quickly enough. The main problem is how can I test that without anyone getting injured or killed." Hermione frowned.
"Yeah that could cause a problem." Neville considered, "Maybe the room of requirement could give us something that could help."
"Exactly I couldn't find any indication that the Ministry has actually researched modern firearms, which is strange given the involvement in World War One and Two that the wizarding world had."
Lavender shook her head, "Not really. Magicals didn't fight alongside Muggles during those wars. We fought each other separate from them. At least as a society, there might have been individuals who fought alongside muggles. But it wasn't strongly encouraged as it was felt their war was not consequential for the Wizarding World."
"Okay that explains why the books were a bit vague on that. Well we will still need to figure a way out to test this. Uncle Bill gave me a book with the tables and data on the velocities of the ammunition and such. He's rather curious about how much magic can stop technology"
Lavender's eyes grew big, "You do realize one of the reasons why the Statute of Secrecy came about was because of the witch hunts by the early catholic church? Muggles feared magic and fought against us."
"Well with the rise of the Death Eaters magicals have been trying to exterminate muggles so they might need to defend themselves. Leaving muggles helpless and defenseless against magic is not the solution either."
Neville gave Lavender a squeeze, "Good people don't let others suffer just because we're afraid."
Lavender sighed, "I guess you're right. We're just getting into things so deeply."
"I know Lav, but if anyone is going to change things its us. We're the ones who have to do this and lead the way." Hermione declared. "Its not like the leadership has been doing anything but trying to keep the status quo and the status is very much not quo."
"Right Hermione," Harry said, "And we'll need to keep up training as well. Plus develop the regular DA. I'll have to find someone to take it over."
"Well until we know if Ron's going to come back and what his personality will be like we'll need to look at the list and find someone else."
"Do we have ta do that right now?" Seamus asked seriously.
"Well we can wait a few days I suppose for the DA. But our teams will need to keep training. Should we wear our suits to class?" Harry looked at Hermione for a response.
Hermione shook her head, "Only for training but I think we'll be okay during the rest of the time, unless we hear of a threat."
"Okay so that sounds like a plan. Anything else we should know or think about?"
"Well I have something." Lavender spoke up, "with our team spread across several houses how are we going to communicate quickly. We can't wear those earpieces all the time. Are we still going to use the coins?"
"No and the coins are too limited. We'll use them for an emergency call to assemble and for the regular DA but for us we'll have to figure something out for that too." Hermione had pulled a notebook out and was writing furiously. "Maybe some kind of
"Well Dobby and Winky could help. They're here at the castle." Harry pointed out.
"Ye left Kreacher home alone?" Seamus asked in surprise.
"Well yeah. He's okay. That and Dobby will go check on him daily as well." Harry said.
"Okay if ye wanna trust em." Seamus shrugged.
"I don't trust him, but Luna understands him, so it works out." Harry shrugged.
"Okay. So unless there is anything else its been a long day and we need to get to bed." Harry said with a yawn.
"Yeah Harry's right. It is time to get to bed." Hermione said with a wicked grin, "Goodnight." She then spun around shoving Harry down on the bed as with a flick of her wrist the curtains around his bed slammed shut and a muffling charm activated, but not before they heard Harry make a moaning exultation.
"Well I guess the founders were a bit wrong about the urges and drives of girls." Katie said with a laugh.
"Yeah really." Lavender chuckled. "Oh well when in Rome." She said pulling Neville into a cuddle as he pulled the curtains shut.
Seamus grinned hopefully at Katie, "Are ye going to stay the night too?"
She leaned in close pursed her lips and cooed, "Only in your dreams sweetcakes." as she patted him on the cheek then left.
Seamus turned to Dean with a sigh, "That girl loves me. She'll make a fine mother to me children."
Dean just laughed and went to bed, alone.
===xxx===xx
Down in the Hufflepuff dorms Susan and Ernie had just parted after Susan gave Ernie his gear that had been smuggled in. People were still sitting in the common room talking and chatting. Introducing the first years to the upper classmates and getting to know them. Snacks and munchies were on the sideboard with the kegs of juice, punch and butterbeer for the older students.
Susan was chatting with her friends when she saw a short skinny girl standing in the corner looking scared and lonely. "Hey whats with her?" She asked Hannah.
"She keeps retreating to the corner. We thought we'd let her get used to everything before pushing on her." Hannah said quietly.
"So who's her house buddy?"
"Uh. Janice Rand over there. She's tried to talk to her but she says that Margaret pushed her away. I couldn't get Margaret to talk to me either."
"Okay. Maybe I can get somewhere."
Hannah shrugged but said, "Worth a try."
Susan came over with a glass of punch offering it to Margaret. "Hello. I'm Susan. You're Margaret?"
The girl nodded.
"So. You want some punch? We have some snacks out too."
"Is it always this loud?"
"Well we do like to talk and party a bit. But if you want to we can go someplace to sit and be quiet."
"Please?" The girl asked with an almost pleading tone.
"Okay just let me tell my friend then we'll go okay?"
===xxx===xx
Susan and Margaret had stepped into a quiet corner of the kitchen. The elves asking if they wanted anything and then going on about their business.
"So. This better?" Susan asked as they sat at a booth that had many names carved into it along with the wall. Some obviously dating back many decades. Margaret was reading them.
The young girl nodded, "Yes. Thank you."
"Alright. So the room got a bit too loud?"
"So many people. I'm not used to that." Margaret was quiet and soft spoken. "At home its my sister and I, unless father is home."
"Oh what about your mother?" Susan asked.
Margaret swallowed her punch, "She died when I was little. Millie told me about her."
"Oh. My condolences."
Margaret nodded again.
"So Millicent is your sister. That must be interesting." Susan was not sure what to talk to the girl about.
"She's nice to me. She lets me sleep with her when I have nightmares." Margaret was tracing some of the names on the table. "She protects me." She finished quietly.
Susan raised her eyebrow at the way Margaret was talking. "Is there a lot to protect you from?"
Margaret shrugged in response.
"So what do you think of Hogwarts?" Susan tried changing the subject.
"Its big. Why did I wind up in Hufflepuff. I wanted to be with my sister." Margaret sounded like she was trying not to cry. "I don't wanna be alone."
"You have a House buddy named Janice. She's the blonde third year in the red dress. We do that in Hufflepuff so no ones really alone."
"I don't like her." Margaret said flatly.
"Oh why not? Is there something wrong with her?"
Margaret shook her head, "No. I just don't like her. She is too buzzy. Too loud."
Susan sighed, "Okay well is there anyone else that isn't so buzzy or loud?"
Margaret looked at Susan carefully before carefully asking, "You're nice. You're not too buzzy. Will you be my friend?"
Susan studied the girl. Her blue eyes looked at Susan with a fearful hope. Light brown hair framed her angular waif like face. Susan smiled gently, "Sure. I'll be your friend. Just I might have to go do some stuff sometimes. I have other friends and a boyfriend and, well a complicated life."
Margaret looked concerned at her.
Susan sighed, "But I'll do my best to be your friend and I'll introduce you to other people who might be able to be your friend too. Okay?"
Margaret gave a ghost of a smile before she nodded.
"Okay. Now before we go back in you want to see if we can get some ice cream?" Susan leaned forward conspiratorially.
Margaret gave her an honest smile that time.
===xxx===xx
Susan had shown Margaret around the Hufflepuff common rooms and then led her to the dormitories for the first years. She also showed her where her dormitory was too.
That was why when in the middle of the night a small figure crawled into the bed with her Susan only mildly reacted. She recoiled quickly and grabbed for her wand casting a light spell quickly followed by a defensive spell.
"I'm sorry Susan. I had a nightmare. Can I stay with you?" Margaret was standing there quietly in her pajamas holding a doll. Looking scared and worried.
Susan sighed. "Okay. But it's not always good to sneak into a bed like that. Okay. I've had some bad things happen that make me a little bit jumpy."
"I'm sorry Susan." Margaret quietly said hanging her head.
Susan pulled back the comforters and putting her wand down after putting the light out, "Its okay. I just wouldn't want you to get hurt accidentally. Now you can climb up okay?"
Margaret climbed into the bed and snuggled against Susan. "Thank you Susan."
"Its okay Margaret." Susan said stroking Margaret's hair softly and singing her a song.
===xxx===xx
The next morning the others woke up in Hufflepuff. Hannah Looked at Margaret in Susan's arms with a curious look.
"She had a bad dream." Susan softly whispered.
Hannah just shrugged, "Okay. You deal with Millicent."
"I will. Don't worry." Susan said.
Shaking Margaret's shoulder gently Susan woke the girl, "Yeah Millie." She softly said.
"No its me Susan. Time to get up Margaret."
Margaret looked up into Susan's eyes, "Oh. I'm sorry. You felt like Millie. Her bubbies are a lot like yours."
"I'm sure they are. You feel better?"
"Yes. I'll go get dressed now." Margaret said sliding out from the bed.
Susan sighed, "Great now what did I get myself mixed up with."
===xxx===xx
Margaret was walking between Susan and Hannah on the way to the great hall when they heard Millicent call out from behind them.
"Hey Bones. What gives?"
"Millie!" Margaret exclaimed gleefully turning and running to her sister for a tight hug.
Millicent was actually smiling as she picked her little sister up, "You okay half-pint?"
"Yeah I am. Susan is nice like you are." Margaret smiled nodding.
"Really?" Millicent looked suspiciously at Susan. "Oh. You settling okay?"
"Its loud in the common room. So busy busy noise. Everyone is always buzzing." Margaret said.
Millicent started to say something but heard Draco chuckle, "Well well. What's wrong Bulstrode? Afraid the huff'n'puffs are going to turn the little ragamuffin into a delinquent?"
"She's my sister Malfoy." Millicent declared dangerously to Draco.
"She's a Hufflepuff now Bulstrode. Remember your loyalties." Draco sneered as his minions came up and circled around them. Susan noticed Ernie and a few other Hufflepuffs had stopped down the corridor when they heard Millicent and had begun to drift back down towards them now.
Millicent looked around with a calculating expression and whispered something in her sister's ear. Handing her over to Susan she growled, "Take care of her or else Bones." Before she stomped down the corridor, yanking her hand away from Goyle when he tried to take it.
As the Slytherins meandered down the corridor slowly Ernie had joined Susan. "What was that all about?"
"I'm not sure."
===xxx===xx
Breakfast went well as the schedules were passed out. First period went well. Harry had been talked into joining Hermione in Runes and Arithmancy as she made him realize he was smart enough to handle it and without the Dursleys he could actually thrive and do his best in classes. Professor McGonnegal was very pleased that Harry was going to be applying himself more this year.
Entering the defense classroom Harry and the others of the ADA wondered how Snape would handle the class. Looking at the Slytherins they looked like they expected the usual sort of easy time they had in potions.
Snape walked into the classroom in his usual measured pace, a cold sneer on his face. Turning at the front of the room he studied the class. "Very well. Given the erratic and unfortunate nature of your education until now I do not have high expectations from any of you. Even the, Chosen One," He said with a sarcastic sneer, "is going to have to work hard to impress me."
Harry smirked briefly but kept his opinion to himself.
"This class will be a combination of practical and book education. You will learn the theories and practices of defense. By the time we are finished you should have at least a modicum of defensive capabilities in your repertoire. However first we must review the things that you should have learned by now."
Harry was amazed at how Snape managed to both extol and condemn the practice of the dark arts. Sounding almost eagerly excited when discussing the various curses, jinxes and dark rituals used by those who followed the dark arts. Snape went on about the various creatures they would be encountering but reminded them that the human being was the most dangerous creature due to their unpredictable nature.
As they were getting ready to leave Snape had manged to assign homework and calm himself back down to his usual choleric expression. As Hermione was getting ready to leave he sneered, "Oh Miss Granger do try not to knock over your cauldron or get anything in it will you."
As the group gathered after class during their mid morning break Hermione muttered under her breath, "Try not to get anything in your cauldron. I'll stuff something in his cauldron he keeps it up."
Harry patted her arm in understanding. "Draco looks like he's expecting this class to be an easy E."
"Yeah. You see how excited Snape got. I thought he was going to cream himself." Neville shuddered.
"Oh thank you Nev darling. That is a mental image I could have lived without." Lavender made gagging noises.
The group laughed.
Flitwick still had trouble making eye contact with Hermione without blushing furiously. The minute Professor stammering his way through class whenever he would look at Hermione.
Hagrid was somewhat better but still looked at Hermione with a slight blush. Asking her if she was okay and nodding when she declared she was.
It wasn't until Transfiguration that there was any real problems.
The class had just settled in and Professor McGonnegal had taken the role when Draco raised his hand.
"Yes Mr Malfoy." McGonnegal asked warily.
"So as this is a NEWT level class now when are we going to learn about Human Transfiguration?" Draco innocently asked.
"We will touch somewhat on this but will not go into depth on that subject until next year."
"Oh I was just curious since some of us may have decided to work ahead. You know changing themselves to attract attention." Draco shrugged.
Hermione turned and glared at him, "If you're trying to refer to my tits I'll have you know they are totally natural and home grown!"
"MISS GRANGER! There will be no need for vulgarity. Mister Malfoy if it is Miss Granger's bosom you are referring to I must tell you that your interest and concern is highly inappropriate and misplaced."
"Well just wanting to figure out how they keep appearing and disappearing. Very suspicious and we don't want suspicious behavior to become acceptable in the school now do we?" He said with an innocent expression while his minions snickered behind him.
"Mr Malfoy I realize you may not be aware of the existence of certain articles regarding feminine undergarments but I assure you there is nothing suspicious about Miss Granger's bosom." Minerva stated archly.
"Yeah but she didn't have em on the train then she got them. Its either a potion or a spell. But those things are not real." Pansy snarked.
"Or its a minimizer bra, but then you've never set foot in the bra section ever so wouldn't know about those." Hermione snarked back.
The other students wisely avoided getting involved in the battle of words and sat there quietly observing. Especially as Harry had drawn his wand and was rolling it back and forth on his desk with the palm of his hand.
Minerva held her hand up to ensure silence. Her glare sufficient to have frozen the basilisk some eyewitnesses swore. "Miss Granger's bosom is not a topic for debate or discussion. The next person who attempts to cast aspersions on her will be dealt with harshly."
"Actually ma'am you can use me as a teaching tool right now. I don't mind." Hermione suggested. "Since this petty small minded attitude is going to continue unless we put it to rest. Correct me if I'm wrong ma'am but there are spells to determine if I've used a potion or spell to grow these?"
"Yes. There are. Cosmetic spells are one of the most common uses of transfiguration or potions. Most of them are reversed by a simple finite incantatum or abigo mutatio. To show what spells or potions one are under the effect of you would cast ostendo aura." Minerva explained patiently.
"So if I stood in front of the class and nothing happens when you cast those spells on me it would show these are really and truly mine?" Hermione asked innocently herself.
"Yes. Those spells are certified to be accurate enough to act as testimony in the Ministry courts." Minerva agreed.
"So Malfoy what are you willing to wager that these are really mine?" Hermione sweetly asked Draco.
"What?" Draco hissed as his eyes narrowed.
"Well you threw down the challenge that these are not real. That's essentially a breach of honor under the pure-blood social codes of etiquette. As the one challenged I can set the conditions for satisfaction of the resolution of the challenge. I'm willing to let you at least offer something before I make up my mind."
Draco suddenly seemed to realize he had made a grave tactical error. He glanced at Parkinson who had not calculated that far ahead yet then he stared at Hermione who was smiling sweetly back at him. Harry was behind her looking casually disinterested but still rolling his damnable wand back and forth on the desk. Glancing around the silent room the others all stared at him with measured expressions. Under the pure-blood social codes he had been insinuating that her breasts were not real and in public in front of others. Now in class he had practically accused her of faking them. Having meant to embarrass or shame the muggle-born she did not seem to be taking the bait.
"What exactly did you have in mind as I am willing to retract my claims, Miss Granger." He politely said.
"Well since you seem to be so interested in my large bosom I was going to say we should give you a pair so you could at least know more about having a pair of them." Hermione said licking her lips in amusement. Several students tittered nervously expecting Malfoy to refuse that.
Draco took a deep breath but nodded, "Very well played Miss Granger. Miss Parkinson and I agree to your terms. Provided they deflate by oh say dinnertime?"
"After dinner. We need to ensure that you get the full experience." Hermione replied.
Pansy spoke up, "HEY why do I have to get involved in this?"
"Because you actually made the outright claim dear." Minerva said.
"I. He put me up to it. Like I care about the stupid fat bags of some mud-blood."
Minerva slammed her hands on her desk as she stood up, "That will be 20 points from Slytherin for using a derogatory slur. A disgusting insulting slur that if I hear you utter once again I shall have you in detention Miss Parkinson until your grandchildren are graduating from this school." She thundered.
Pansy sat back in her chair at the outburst directed towards her. She nodded mutely.
"Now as I understand the way the rules of this work. Mr Malfoy and Miss Parkinson issued the challenge that Miss Granger's bosom is not real. Miss Granger has accepted that challenge and has asked myself to adjudicate this. The conditions of this are that should they prove to be real Mr Malfoy and Miss Parkinson will receive a comparable set until after dinner. What do you offer should they prove to be artificially enlarged Miss Granger?"
Hermione considered for a moment, "If they are artificially inflated and as Mr Malfoy claims it is for attention I will will place them on full display at dinner."
Minerva closed her eyes and counted to ten but sighed, "Are those terms acceptable Mr Malfoy."
Draco grumbled but nodded, "Yes."
"Miss Granger if you will come forward please." Minerva commanded.
Hermione walked up and turned to face the class. Thrusting her bosom forward with her arms behind her. Straining the buttons on her uniform blouse.
Minerva rolled her eyes briefly but cast finite incantatum. Nothing happened. Abigo mutatio had the same result. "Very well there is no transfiguration magic upon them."
"Maybe its her underwear! Who knows what she did to that." Pansy shouted. Hermione rolled her eyes.
Minerva pursed her lips thin enough the blood began to leave them but transforming a large screen to hide Hermione from the class nodded to her.
Hermione stepped behind and stepping back out flung her blue lace brassiere at Pansy who recoiled like it was a live snake. Seamus picked it up and grinned before Harry used an accio to retrieve it with an amused glare at Seamus who simply chuckled.
"Very well. Let us repeat that. When nothing happened Minerva glared at the class in challenge. When no one said anything she moved on.
"Ostendo Aura." She said. A glow surrounded Hermione with shifting colors.
"As we do not normally discus auras in Transfiguration you may ask Professor Flitwick for clarification. However I swear to you that there is no potions or spells affecting Miss Granger other than the monthly prophylactic potion. She is a healthy magical female. Shall my word be sufficient Mr Malfoy, Miss Parkinson, or do you require further confirmation?."
Draco nodded quickly, "No ma'am your word will be sufficient. I accept that my claim was in error and I await my forfeit."
Minerva looked to Harry who floated Hermione's bra back to her. She stepped behind the screen and got dressed. When she was done, Minerva had Draco and Pansy take turns stepping behind the screen. When they came out they sported a large bosom similar to Hermione's. Draco strutted back to his seat while Pansy hunched over trying to hide her assets.
"Now. I want to remind everyone that I do not enjoy being dragged into petty bickering, or egotistical posturing. Little games of one upsmanship will not be tolerated. So let us not have those sort of interruptions in my class again?" Minerva suggested in a tone that might have been warmer than a glacier in Antarctica but not by much. Glaring around the room in challenge she stalked back to her seat nostrils flaring.
"As it seems to be of great interest to certain people we shall jump ahead to human transfiguration and discus the merits and difficulties of such spells. Take out your books and turn to chapter 47."
===xxx===xx
As class was ending Minerva asked Hermione to remain.
"Miss Granger what was the point of the earlier display?"
"Well one thing was I'd been hearing people whispering in the corridors all day about them being fake so I was trying to find a way to prove that I was real. At least this saved me from having a wardrobe malfunction or finding a way to fake a challenge like that." Hermione confessed.
"So you manipulated Mr Malfoy into this?" Minerva said with a sigh.
Hermione shook her head, "Sadly no. His own arrogance got him into this mess. I just took advantage of it."
"One benefit should be that they will not underestimate your ability to fight on their own playing field." Minerva did seem to be slightly proud.
"I began to study the pure-blood etiquette and attitudes for that reason ma'am after fourth year. Trying to find ways to even the game." Hermione said with a wry nod.
"Well in that case let us hope that you continue to do well." Minerva said before heading out to dinner with Hermione meeting Harry and the others.
===xxx===xx
Luna had come over to the Gryffindor table to sit with Harry and Hermione. She was staring at Draco who was wearing a low cut shirt and laughing about his assets with his friends. Pansy was nowhere to be seen.
"Draco does not seem to be upset by his alterations." She observed.
"No he probably enjoys them to be honest." Harry snorted.
Luna frowned, "That is rather disturbing, although not surprising."
"Everything about Draco is rather disturbing." Neville grunted.
"Pansy seems to be hiding though. Do you think she had a bad reaction to the spell?" Lavender's concerned was evident on her face.
Hermione shook her head, "I doubt it. That's not that difficult a spell. Mammaria Amplia. It just increase the size up to a certain point. Countered by Mammaria Reducio. Not exactly difficult spells."
Seamus glanced over with a grin, "Now what were those spells again?"
"As you can see by Draco they do work on males too Seamus." Hermione said without looking at him.
"Right o course." Seamus said going back to his food.
"Millicent seems to be watching Susan like a hungry hawk." Neville observed.
"Probably because her little sister has attached herself to Susan. I believe she may be a sensitive. Perhaps an esper." Luna stated.
"An esper?" Neville frowned. Harry had no idea either but figured either Hermione or Luna would explain it later.
"An esper is someone with a form of extrasensory perception." Luna explained.
"Oh like someone who can perform divination?" Parvati excitedly asked.
Luna looked at her blankly with a slight shake of her head. "No. Of course not. You either are a seer or you are not. You cannot learn how to see the future. Divination methods like tea leaves and tarot are just theater tricks. I'm talking about really sensing things through means beyond the normal."
Parvati looked grumpy but did not say anything else, Glancing at Lavender who simply shrugged.
"I wonder if she was why Draco wanted to get to the castle so quickly. Having someone who could read minds on your team would be rather useful don't you think?" Harry wondered out loud.
"You are correct Harry. Draco may have tried to influence her being sorted into Slytherin for that reason, only you and Neville spoke with them before they were sorted perhaps influencing her for Hufflepuff." Luna considered that then nodded.
"Did anyone ever figure out what the deal was with Millicent and the probe?"
Katie chuckled, "Yeah, supposedly she had a corset with the D-pockets like a minimizer. Nothing in there but her own mounds."
"She must have been hiding something inside it more than just her mammoth mounds." Neville said with a happy sigh.
Lavender glanced at him, "Hello? Designs on consorting with the enemy?"
Neville grinned bashfully, "Uh no. Just commenting on the the view."
"Right. Well you've already got more than enough mounds you can handle already mister." Lavender declared.
"Yeah I do." Neville said patting her hand.
"Okay. Moving onward," Parvati declared, "or as prefect I'll have to do something official."
"Yes mistress." Lavender chuckled.
Parvati shook her head. "Fine I'll remember that." She waggled her finger at Lavender.
Harry frowned, "Hey wait. Shouldn't there be a boy's prefect for our year?"
Hermione thought a moment before saying, "Well there is supposed to be but none of you were chosen were you?"
All the sixth year boys shook their heads before Neville gave a horrifying thought, "Not unless Ron got chosen. And he's in the hospital."
"Why would Ron be chosen. He went to Mungo's halfway through summer?" Harry was confused.
"We'll have to wait and see what happens." Neville suggested. "Maybe they forgot to choose one."
"I doubt that. Dumbledore has the next five years of going to the bathroom planned out." Harry frowned. "And Professor McGonnegal would not make that kind of mistake."
Luna raised her eyebrow at him, "That is a rather curious thought."
===xxx===xx
The rest of the week went well. Slughorn was impressed with the work of Hermione and the others. Harry was tolerable at the potions they tried. Draco had shown him up. Neville though had begun to blossom under Slughorn as he was much more relaxed and self-confident about his potion making.
Slughorn said he would begin having some informal dinners for some of the students to get to know each other and discus
Pansy had injured herself trying to reduce her bosom so wound up in hospital. Snapping and yelling at Draco for making her wind up with huge fat cow udders like some kind of common pig. She did this in the middle of the Slytherin common room to such a powerful level that the portraits and ghosts had even discussed it so by the end of the week it was common knowledge around the school.
Millicent had begun to distance herself from Goyle and show up around Susan at random times. Goyle had looked confused but followed Draco's orders more so let her drift away. Susan and Margaret had become very good friends as Susan looked out for Margaret, getting her to calm down and relax. Getting Janice to learn how to help her as well. Although Margaret did wind up snuggling with her due to bad dreams once more during the week. Dreams she wouldn't explain other than wolves and dragons were attacking her.
Professor McGonnegal had agreed to the formation of a physical fitness club which allowed the ADA to do their morning runs and other exercises before breakfast, the members of the DA had signed up as well as a smattering of other students, including some first years. Margaret and Phyllis each doing well. The ADA would do their advanced training in the Room of Requirement at least twice a week. The Defense club would meet once a week in a classroom with Professor McGonnegal's permission and overseen by Professor Snape. When asked why Snape would be involved Minerva said it was a condition of the headmaster's. Hermione shrugged as the DA would be more of auxiliary personnel so would not get the secret plans.
Hermione had decided that the ADA would use the mirrors and headsets to communicate. While the DA would use their coins to gather at a set location. She upgraded the coins to give the holder a sense of where the prime coin was located when the call went out.
The GPS receiver did not work straight out of the box giving strange and variable readings depending on where they were in the castle or grounds. Sometimes the same location giving different readings. The satellite phone was also unable to reach a satellite to work. The internal circuits reading on the self-test as not working. When Hermione took it apart the smell of fried circuit board greeted her.
"It must be that high levels of magic will scramble the digital electronics inside. The GPS is a military grade one so it should be hardened against EMP. So I think that's why it works just not reliably while the commercial satphone doesn't work at all. Same with the tape deck. We may have to figure out a way to shield the internal circuits." Hermione had explained to Harry Saturday morning after they had tried the various items.
"Right and you still haven't come up with a good way to safely test the gun?" Harry asked.
"No. Luna has a theory the Room can give us something and I'll try it tomorrow. Luna has a place she wants us to go this afternoon. She says all work and no play will make us dull."
"Well we wouldn't want to make Harry a dull boy now would we." Harry said with a laugh.
"You know. Maybe letting dad pick the movies you guys watch was a bad idea." Hermione observed with her eyebrow raised.
"Well just so long as the Carrow twins don't start asking us to play with them it should be fine." Harry pointed out with a laugh.
===xxx===xx
After lunch Luna led the six members of the ADA down to a rocky part of the lake's shoreline. It was through a small portion of the Forbidden Forest and they had to scramble over some rocks then through a small stone arch. On the other side a small beach with fine sand. It was on a small sheltered cove of the lake that was facing the south and filled with sunshine. There was a large fire ring in the middle of the beach with a shelter at the back of it.
"Wow this is pretty Luna." Katie enthused. Did you do this?"
"No. It would seem to be another unofficial student hang-out." she said the word awkwardly, "As there are quite a few names and initials carved into the rocks around the alcove. Some of them dating back quite far."
"Nice. So we'll have a nice party and relax this afternoon. The weather is wonderful for it." Neville said looking at the sky.
As Luna stripped off her clothes, "Yes. The lake will be slightly chilly but swimming should still be possible, especially if you use a warming charm. The cold doesn't bother me."
Seamus made a coughing noise, "Luna yer nekkid."
Putting her hands on her hips she looked at Seamus oddly, "Yes, that is usually what happens when one takes off their clothes."
"Well why ye do that fer?" Seamus was staring but still confused. "Not that I mind as Harry's not turning me into a toad but this doesn't seem like the time ta get nekkid."
"Well what else do you go swimming in? Wearing clothes just allows the gulping plimpies to have something they can grab onto." She shrugged then turned and ran into the water splashing out until she was up to her waist when she dove into the water.
Hermione shrugged, "Well we're all good friends here and I've got nothing to be ashamed of." She said removing her clothes and putting them in a pile. Lavender, Harry and Neville soon joined her and Luna in the water. Harry and Neville having taken a moment to pause and place a warming charm on themselves.
Katie looked at Seamus, "Well you and Dean going to join me?" She said beginning to strip off.
"Really?" The two said in unified surprise.
Katie shrugged and tossed Seamus her bra. "Well Harry and Neville have their harem, so I might as well have a stud farm unless Cho wants to take one of you two on." She said glancing over at the quiet girl who frowned back at her.
"As in the both of us? Together with you?" Dean asked.
Tossing him her knickers she shrugged, "Well why not."
Ernie and Terry looked at each other then Ernie cleared his throat, "And what of Terry and I?"
"Well I suppose there might be enough of me to go around unless the two of you have ideas of your own. Or Cho wants to stake a claim." Katie glanced over at Cho who looked back with a blank uninterested stare.
Ernie's eyes grew wide as he contemplated the situation. A moment's consultation with Terry Boot and Ernie began to undress, "Your terms are acceptable. Although for a long term relationship this might prove untenable."
"I'll figure who I'm going to settle down with when I get to that point. Right now we have a war to win, and we might not live through it so I'm going to have as much fun as I can right boys?"
The four males agreed and soon all of the ADA was splashing around except for Susan and Cho.
Cho sat beside her on a convenient stone bench. "So why aren't you out there with them?"
Susan shrugged, "I don't know. I may here in a bit. So why aren't you?"
Cho frowned, "I don't want to."
"Still missing Cedric?" Susan asked politely.
Cho frowned at Susan but said nothing.
"I can imagine he was important to you. I think if something happened to Neville I'd pull a Queen Victoria." Susan sighed.
"I gave him my virginity. The night before the final tournament." Cho confessed suddenly.
"Ah. I can see why you're still hurting, since he was that important to you." Susan nodded understandingly.
"Yeah. Then I let Potter convince me to give him a chance. I don't know why. I still don't understand that." Cho sadly sighed.
"You were probably looking for love. Looking to fill the hole in your heart. He's just not the one to do that for you." Susan said levelly.
Cho shrugged, "I guess. So where's you little friend?" She asked to change the subject.
"Margaret? She's with her sister. Millicent and her were going to go do something."
Cho grunted gently, "Good. Maybe it'll make Millicent into a human being."
Susan sighed, "I'm sure she's a human at heart. They just have a, a complicated home life. Margaret's said some things that I don't know for sure. I told Aunt Amelia about it and she promised she'd see if she could spare someone. Especially since the Bulstrodes support the bad guys. Or at least her father does."
"What about her mother?"
Susan shrugged, "According to Margaret, she and Millicent have different mothers. Both of them are dead though. Both of them were muggle-borns. Not sure what that connection is but Auntie agreed it sounded suspicious the way things happened."
Cho non-commitally grunted again.
"You know. Just sitting here brooding isn't doing either of us any good. Especially since it looks like they're having such a good time." Susan smiled watching Neville dive under Lavender and lift her out of the water on his shoulders laughingly. Her thick thighs surrounding his head fully.
Cho watched them for a few minutes too, "You can go in if you want. I'll be okay watching."
"Are you sure?" Susan asked giving Cho a squeeze on the arm.
"Yeah I'm sure. Go have fun."
Susan got up took a few deep breaths then stripped off and ran into the water diving in with a yelp as the cold water hit her. The cannonball she did drenching Seamus.
Cho watched for a bit then got up and looked around the alcove. Reading some of the names. She looked at the small table in the shelter and smiled sadly as her and Cedric had been very much aware of this place. They had shared some special moments alone here during the tournament.
She turned and with a glance to make sure the others were all preoccupied with their fun walked through the arch and back up to the castle. Maybe she could get some more training in the Room of Requirement before dinner.
===xxx===xx(Review Responses)
Soliel Sidus: Thank you. Glad you're enjoying it. Yeah the relationship between the main characters has pretty much settled into its final form. The secondary characters might have a few changes over the story though.
Mistress Mask: Thank you. I'm glad I got the feel right. I was a little bit concerned but some of the females I spoke with said that it made sense. Glad to have confirmation though. As for the other Hallows. Luna has not mentioned them as she was mainly concerned about the stone for the reasons given. I'll probably touch on that at some point later with the wand and the cloak.
OfficerDonNZ: True. Ravenclaw is probably sensing the self-confidence boost Luna has so things are changing. Especially as Terry Boot and Cho are in Ravenclaw with her. Oh yeah. Harry will not surrender the cloak. Especially when he understands more about the Hallows. Right now though Luna is not aware of the cloak so the point has not been brought up. But like I just said she was more worried about the Stone for personal reasons.
Kelwin: Thank you. I'd love to have that equipment load out too sometimes.
Jadesabrexiv: Well lets just say Lavender needed to go take a moment in the powder room after having Luna go all highlander on the box she was holding. As for the response of the Questers. It will depend on their reasons and personality. As you've already seen one of their reactions (Dumbledore) and her father will probably be saddened but as it was Luna who did it he will come around eventually. A father can forgive quite a lot from their daughter. The Big V is not going to be happy but then he's never happy. Grindelwald will probably have quite the conniption but otherwise not have much effect. Being full of sound and fury but little thunder and lightning.
Rifannuari95: Its Scotland. Beach scenes are going to be problematic but between this chapter and the next there will be some interesting things going on.
DennisUD: Thank you. By the end Harry and company will have a very interesting life.
IdlemanRPG: Thank you. Like I've said before. Beauty is a very broad spectrum and open to interpretation. One person's goddess is another's duckling. As long as a person is healthy its all good. And as it becomes appropriate their descriptions will be brought into the story indeed. But yes Susan is the team mom and the soft pillowy kind. Millicent is the thick curvy padded one whose tracts of land are quite large. Also her body type will play a bit of plot points later. Lavender is only slightly chubby but in all the right places. Hermione and Luna are the toned athletic body types although Hermione has more curves. Katie is toned and fit but still slightly padded, Can be considered as close to average as one could say. Cho is short, slender and toned. Heading for muscular due to her obsession. As Neville is the designated chubby chaser in the story he will be the one to interact, comment, and appreciate those with that body type. Seamus and Dean have no preferred body type. As for Ernie and Terry they are trying to figure things out but are very happy to be along for the ride.
