Title: Hermione's Helping Hand

Luna's Transformation

While Draco contented with the fact that he now had Neville, the ghost, floating around his quarters, the students were getting ready for the final Hogsmead trip they would have for several months. Harry was going of course, but Hermione wasn't to sure about going this time. She was really starting to get prepared for her N.E.W.T's and she didn't want to mess up the chance of getting into the Ministry.

" I don't know why you're so worried," Ron, commented. " I mean, I know that your determined and all, but I don't see the point in worrying and starting to study. You have plenty of time before the N.E.W.T's to get ready."

Hermione huffed at him, but even Severus told her that he was right.

" I hate to admit that a Weasley is right, but he is. You're working yourself to hard, and Madam Pomfrey told you that you couldn't overwork yourself. That's a shear way of Draco finding out."

Hermione knew that he was right, but she still worried.

The teachers were also thinking along the same lines as Hermione. Professor McGonagall gave them so much homework, that Hermione started to panic, and Professor Flintchly didn't make life easier for them. He wanted them in the Restricted section three times a week to find the charms that he instructed and learn them by heart.

" These charms will be on your N.E.W.T's," he informed them. " The examiners will demand that you know all of them."

These words alone sent Hermione to the hospital wing as soon as she left his classroom.

Meanwhile, unknown to the Professors, Luna Lovegood, who was also in her final year, was busy trying to become an Animagi. She knew it was difficult, but she was a Ravenclaw, and Ravenclaws could do anything. She checked out a book that was in the Restricted section and started to go over exactly how to do it.

" Are you sure this is a bright idea?" a sixth year asked her.

" Of course!" Luna said, smiling. " I want to get the best N.E.W.T and I believe this will do it."

" But it's hard!"

Luna gave her such a harsh look, that the girl ran away.

" So what are your plans this winter?" Harry asked Hermione, as they left the hospital wing.

" Well I was thinking about going with Severus to Prince Manor," Hermione told him. " It survived the attack by Voldemort, but Severus says that it needs a little repair. Since I'm of age, then I can help him out. He can't do magic unless I give permission, but Arthur said that he can do something like restoring spells, and that's no big deal."

" Are you planning on living there?"

Hermione nodded.

" Well let me know when I can come by for a visit," Harry said. " I've got some plans this winter as well."

Hermione looked at him.

" And what are those?"

" Well I'm thinking about settling in Godric Hollow, not in the same part of the village that my parents lived, but still there. I feel more at home there then at the Dursley's."

" And speaking of them, do you know how their fairing?"

Harry shook his head.

" Dudley is almost finished with Smeltings, and the Ministry is still trying to figure out how my aunt used magic when she's suppose to be a Muggle."

Hermione thought this over. Last year, Harry discovered that his aunt had magic. She had used it when Voldemort had attempted to kill her, the last of the Evans. This had shocked not only everyone around, but her as well. He had left her alone, sighting that this was something that he needed to dissect.

" Are you going to visit her?" Hermione asked.

" I don't know!" Harry answered. " She's still a little upset about what happened, especially now that her husband has left her."

Hermione shook her head.

" Come on, let's get to dinner."

When they had pitched their things, they hurried off to the Great Hall. The chilly November wind was being held back by the roaring fires that lined the hall and in the large on in the grate. Hermione looked at all the faces, noticing that Luna wasn't there. However, Remus tapped his glass, and silence fell.

" I hope that all of you, when term ends, that you have a wonderful Christmas," Remus said to them. " Now when you all return we'll have a new Caretaker, someone that just discovered that she had magic and I believe that this job will do her good. You will be seeing her when you all return. Well that's all."

And he sat down.

" I didn't know that Filch was leaving," Harry said to Hermione and Ron.

" Me either!" Ron said, looking just as confused as Hermione was. " And I wonder who this women is?"

" I have no idea!"

Severus Snape was busy reading a book that Hermione had managed to sneak into the castle right under Draco's nose. It was all about plants that could restore people that had been damaged due to very powerful or deadly curses. He was hoping that one of them could be used to brew a potion that would bring Neville's parents back from insanity. Even though they would never see their son, he thought it would be nice for the wizarding world to see them. He put the book down and went to pour himself another cup of tea.

Suddenly he heard a sound, like hissing. He went down on the ground, and thinking that it was a Basilisk, or something else more dangerous, he took out a mirror, like the one his wife had used. He then used the mirror face to look around without having to see it himself. Suddenly he saw the huge snake. It turned towards him and the world went black.

A few minutes later, the door opened and suddenly the castle was filled with Hermione screaming. She had found her husband's body.