[a/n0]For those of you interested, Jake Crepeau's review of #20 gives some of the evolution of forms of address for women in the USA military. And, like the Margaret quote, I recall movies depicting the Academies referring to female cadets as 'mister'

[a/n]This looks at a review by Kimberly T of DoHDD#16 "McGonagall's warning to Hermione about being Obliviated along with her parents if she left school before obtaining her OWL's? ... and it would explain why she so famously declared in her first year, "We could all have been killed - or worse, expelled!"

Harry Does Different CDLXIVb

Her Priorities

The next morning was typical. Ron loitered and delayed, so he and Harry arrived when breakfast was well along. The pair dove into their food. While reading from his DADA book, he nudged his female friend between chews "Hey Mione, wha'j'ya mean? Last night?"

"Huh? Wha?" the young witch only half-looked up from her own reading.

He prodded "quote We could all have been killed - or worse, expelled unquote. I mean, as bad as expelled would- -"

"Honestly! You really need to read Hogwarts: A History." She rolled her eyes.

Ron gulped down a bite of poached egg and quipped "Why? She's already read it. Twice at least."

"Not ALL of it Ronald!" the expression on her face should have melted the redhead "It's over 600 pages. And NO I have NOT finished it yet. But I DID read pages 128 through 161, which has all the school rules."

Ron's oldest brother, who was dutifully hovering over the new lions was complimentary "Well done Miss Granger."

"ANYWAY!" she pulled the massive tome from her backpack and thumped it on the table, drawing annoyed looks. it took up a lot of space. Leafing through it, she found her goal "Page 144: Failure. Any student who has not achieved a minimum three OWLs shall be dismissed from Hogwarts: Shall immediately have his or her powers bound. If Muggleborn, child and parents will be scanned for identities of anyone, whether accidental or deliberate, to whom the Wizarding World was revealed. All of which will be obliviated. It should be stressed this is not intended as punishment, merely a fact of life. This to comply with enforcement clauses of the Statutes of Secrecy."

A thrill of fear shook Harry's spine, he glanced at his friend and asked "You know about this, Ron?"

"I think Bill might've mentioned it." Answered the redhead, talking around a mouthful of roll "Didn't think bou it since we're a Pureblood family."

Harry was sharing a look with Dean, whom he knew to be Muggleborn. The black boy frowned "Don't remember McGonagall mentioning that. Might've to Mum and Dad."

Abcij

A conversation among First Years, even if a controversial topic, simply didn't make a stir. The changes began in Defense class when Harry asked "Professor Quirrell? Is it true if someone doesn't make 3 OWLs they get their memories wiped?"

"Th-th-that w-w-w-would be som-something th-th-that has hap-pened w-w-within even our H-h-headmaster's l-lifet-t-time, P-potter." The DADA teacher stammered.

Hermione raised her hand then immediately started talking "Sorry, sir, but that doesn't answer Harry's question."

"What prevents them from doing that, sir?" Harry pressed.

The teacher shrugged "S-s-study."

"What does obliviate mean?" asked Hermione.

The rather curt response was "R-r-remov-ving mem-mor-ies from the m-m-ind."

"Is there a way to protect yourself?" asked Harry.

Now the professor frowned "It is c-c-cal-led Oc-cc-clumency. Now back to the s-subject at h-h-hand."

"Sir!" Hermione again talked and raised her hand at the same time "Something like this is important. Especially if you're Muggleborn like me, or even Harry whose parents are …well."

For a brief moment, Quirrell's face twisted in loathing 'Why doesn't the Mudblood shut up?' but managed to say "Find a book on it Miss Granger. Now if I can resume my class, or do I need to deduct points?"

Abcij

"Come on Hermione! It's Friday night! We don't need to study!" the cute Indian girl and her already developing cohort urged their roommate as dinner wrapped up "I got a mixture of sleekeazys, wonderful for the hair.".

The bookish brunette was closing the essay she'd been writing "Thanks Parvati, but no. I am going to the library before it closes."

"What else is new?" quipped Ron with a friendly derisiveness "C'mon Harry, lemme beat ya at chess again."

Hermione rolled her eyes at the general sentiment and announced "I am going to research just how they can take away our memories. Do you want to lose large chunks of your brains?" To the twins, she remarked "And you two. You're closer to that date than we are. Could you pass even ONE OWL?"

"How dare you - -" both redheads began to protest.

They were interrupted by the be-spectacled First Year standing "Thanks Ron, I'll pass. You can pound on Dean or Neville all you want. Hermione, count me in." This was met by surprised silence from Gryffindor.

Abcij

"Well hello Hermione." The librarian greeted kindly "And you Mr. Potter. You both know there is only 90 minutes left before we close for curfew."

Harry bounced on the balls of his feet and remarked "Hmmm, firstname basis. How's a ickle Firstie earn that?"

"Rumor has it your father made a similar comment when entering with a certain Miss Evans. Of course that was a little before my time." The librarian remarked "However, Hermione's love of books has earned said status. Regardless, are you just browsing, or have you a particular project in mind?"

The young witch nodded, looking slightly embarrassed "Uh-huh. Professor Quirrell called it Occlumency. We learned what happens when a student fails out of Hogwarts."

"Particularly Muggleborns." Pince noted "Astonishing to consider in all the centuries it has been taught, no one has authored a book on the subject. Several books in the Restricted Section cover the Unforgivable curses that might be of use. Knockturn Alley might have something entirely unofficial on the subject, buuuuuuut you did NOT hear that from me."

Hermione was about to speak, but Harry touched a finger to her lips "About the Restricted Section, we'll see what Professor McGonagall says. And …uhh… sorry…did you say something else?"

"I think, young man, you will go far." She predicted, the while smiling "And meanwhile, I can recommend something on the subject of meditation in the 400s."

Harry led his friend away with a slight tug at the elbow. And when they were alone, said softly "I think I'll follow this up with a mention to Fred and George. This Knockturn sounds like their kind of place."