Author Note: Plot movement, good news for Hannah and a new era at Hogwarts.
===xxx===xxx
The day after Christmas Harry was awakened by his head elf.
"Sir. The Goblins have a delivery for you at the gate."
"Has it been checked for threats?"
"Yes sir. We did a complete sweep and contacted Mr Lupin to come and check it as well."
"Oh okay. Sign for it and leave it there until we get ourselves together."
"Yes sir." The elf said as he popped out.
Hermione's voice under the quilts was muffled but confused, "Were you expecting anything today?"
"No. And after the visit by Narcissa I'm wondering what it is?"
"Well we better get dressed and go find out." She reluctantly said crawling out from under the blankets to pad towards the bathroom.
======xxxxx=====xxxx=====x
As they were walking to the gate Neville caught up pulling his sweater over his head.
"Good thing we aren't under attack." Hermione observed, helping Neville get his hair flattened with a grooming charm.
"Sorry I got tackled by the L&L brigade this morning."
"L&L Brigade?" Harry asked with a chuckle.
"Luna and Lavender." Neville sighed. "They might as well have been a brigade."
"Amazing you're still alive." Hermione observed dryly.
"It was a bit close there a couple times.." Neville said with a lopsided grin.
The two girls caught up with them a few moments later.
As they neared the gate they saw five motorcycles lined up side by side. There were leather jackets and helmets with each bike. The Weasleys as well as Remus Lupin and Moody were examining them.
"Hey Harry. Check this out. Five identical Hilts PX70 Motorcycles. Fully loaded!" Veronica enthusiastically called out as they approached.
"What?" Harry looked at Neville with a question who just shrugged back. The others didn't seem to know what was going on either.
"A what?" Harry asked again.
Remus stepped over, "Hilts. They are a company started back in the fifties by a veteran who spent a lot of time in a German Prisoner of War camp. Your grandfather invested in the company."
"Oh. So where did these come from then?" Harry was deeply confused but interested as the bikes did look cool.
"I think Sirius was involved." He said showing Harry a card with a large dog paw print on it.
"SO are they safe?" Veronica was almost bouncing in excitement.
"Yes as long as we don't let Arthur tear into one." Remus said looking at the red haired man who was examining the rear tire of one of the bikes.
"Sorry. I was just admiring them. The bike Hagrid left with us had to be sold to pay Malfoy." Arthur sadly stated.
"Oh yeah." Harry said walking up to touch one of the bikes. They were all identical red with bright chrome fittings. A golden lion was painted onto the sides of the gas tank. The handlebars had the usual controls but a few extra buttons were easily reached.
"Wait a second. Hagrid left you a motorcycle? What sort of Motorcycle was it?" Harry looked up from touching the handlebars of the bike.
"I don't remember the type. It was a Trumpet?" Arthur said.
"It was a Triumph dad. Bonneville. Had a sidecar and everything Harry. There were all sorts of buttons on it too. It was jet gloss black with chrome wheels." Ron gushed with a huge grin. "I used to go out to the shed and sit on it. Pretend I was going somewhere.
Remus growled softly causing everyone to stare at him. "That was Sirius Black's bike. Lily, James and him worked to modify that accursed monstrosity until its own designer wouldn't have recognized it. How did you get it again?"
"Hagrid brought it to us a few months after that night back in 81. He said he wouldn't be needing it ever again and we should keep it. He knew how interested I was in muggle things. Molly thought I was going to kill myself with it so I only rode it a few times. It was rather powerful."
"Yes Sirius had modified the engine quite a bit." Remus observed quietly.
"Do these seem to be modified much?" Harry and Veronica both looking at the engine curiously. Not sure what they were looking at but looking intently.
"Not heavily I would say." Moody asserted, "I don't know for sure on these but I knew that old bike of Black's had flight, smokescreen and a few other tricks. These jackets though. That's not cowhide there but dragon."
Harry picked up one of the jackets and saw on the back the Gryffindor house crest with his name on the front chest. The helmet was a red with gold glitter dust open face style from the seventies.
"Well this is nice." Harry said looking at Remus who was frowning still. "What's wrong sir?"
"Arthur do you know who bought the bike from you?"
"No it went up at auction. We stayed away."
"Ahh yes. Understandable. Alastair?"
"I can see if anyone has one registered. I haven't been pushed out just yet." Moody turned and spat in ire.
"DO you think he might try to get it back?"
"Sirius loved that bike more than any girl I ever saw him with. If he hasn't retrieved it I would be surprised Harry."
"Maybe he's got a lot more to be focused on." Moody grumbled.
"Possible. Or he has given up any links to the world other than Harry." Remus observed.
"That is a dire thing to consider." Moody quietly stated.
"So can we go for a ride?" Veronica was looking coyly at Harry while Hermione shook her head.
===xxxxx====xxxx====xxxx
Sirius was pacing. "Dammit James. I had them. I had them all in my hands and some of them escaped. I swear its like trying to wipe out cockroaches in a Knockturn rooming house. Yes Lily I know that's disgusting, but true. At least Blake hasn't found the Granger's yet, and if he hasn't found them then the bad guys haven't." He paused to swig from his bottle. When he realized it was empty he threw it against the wall. "Damn gonna have to get another bottle, only 10 more left. Don't look at me like that Lily. I got this. I'm in control. I'm in control. I'm in control." He said sliding down the wall crying.
=====xxxxx=====xxxxx=====xxx
A few days later Augusta and the twelve members of the Hogwarts Board of Governors gathered at the office for the final vote on Nott's confirmation. She was still laughing inside at how the motorcycles had become incredibly popular with the teens. Neville taking to riding one of those mechanized demons far better and faster than he did a broom. Trying to keep a happy thought like that in a time like this was harder than she had thought though.
"Ahh Augusta you ready to try and charge into the valley?" Amos Diggory greeted her with a grimace.
"I suppose. You and I are still the only ones standing against this?"
"Yes unfortunately. No one else has changed their opinions it seems from the earlier arguments. Dumbledore has proven himself to be completely untrustworthy according to them. Minerva is still regarded as his personal pet."
"Well he has had his flaws but. Can't they see that this has been attacks on the castle by outsiders? And Minerva is a woman of honor."
Amos shrugged, "The point is too many students have died or been horribly maimed under his leadership. Anyone associated with him is painted with the same brush."
As Augusta could not argue that point now any more than she could during the previous meetings she bustled into the conference room.
Lucius smiled his oily grin at her. "Ahh with the arrival of Madam Longbottom we can now begin. Thank you for your timely presence."
"Yes well as there is not much else to do lets get this over with." She said taking her seat.
The others took their seats as the secretary began taking her notes.
"Very well. The purpose of this meeting is to take the vote on to confirm or reject the appointment of Reginald Nott as Headmaster of Hogwarts. There will be no other business at this meeting." He said in warning. Augusta looked back at him coldly.
"Very well begin calling the votes."
The Secretary looked at her book and called the names of each member. William Macmillan, Augusta Longbottom and Amos Diggory were the only votes to reject him, Galen Adams and Quint Fawley both abstained which made Augusta hopeful only for the rest of the board Malfoy, Fawcett, Greengrass, Bulstrode, Eddington, Esterbrook and Sternwood all voting to confirm.
"Ahh very good with seven voting aye, three nay and two abstentions the motion is carried."
"Merlin help us all."
"Oh come now Augusta. It won't be that bad." Malfoy stood laughing softly.
"Mark my words Malfoy we are setting out on a path that will take us into some very dark places before we can get out of it."
Sneering Malfoy laughed at her, "Oh you foolish old woman. You have no idea about darkness."
=====xxxxx=======xxxxx=======xx
Returning to Longbottom House Augusta handed her cloak to her elf. Sitting in her easy chair she sighed, "Habin where are Neville and the others?"
"They are at Potter Place ma'am."
"Thank you." She sat and pondered what sort of changes Nott was going to make. He had said he wanted to restore traditional values to the wizarding world and that schooling the young in these would be important.
She did not mind traditional values, just some traditions are not as good as others. Hermione was a wonderful and nice young woman. Her parents being muggles did not make them any less pleasant or preferable to anyone else. They had just as much value as many other magicals.
She decided to wait until closer to dinner to tell them as she was tired and needed to take a nap.
=====xxxx====xxx====xx====x
Harry and his friends had spent the day riding the motorcycles, relaxing and practicing their spells.
Augusta came through the floo to be greeted by Harry.
"Hello Nan. How did the vote go?"
"Where is everyone else?"
"In the library. Is there a problem?"
"I don't know for certain. Things are going to be different when you go back that is for certain." She grumped as they walked to the library.
=====xxxx=====xxx=====xx====x
Neville and the others greeted Augusta happily but with some concern seeing the expression on her face.
"I am not going to beat around the bush. Reginald Nott was confirmed today as the next headmaster of Hogwarts. This means there are going to be some significant changes to the school no doubt."
"Great. He's a death eater isn't he?" Hermione asked.
"He was exonerated. Along with the others who managed to claim the Imperious as their defense." Augusta sniffed.
"Well do you have any ideas on what he's going to do?" Lavender was concerned.
"No but he espouses to be a great defender of Wizarding traditions. So I would not be surprised if any changes he makes are going to be backwards." Augusta explained.
"Oh great making the wizarding world even further behind the muggle world culturally." Hermione huffed.
"Maybe Sirius could you know get to him first?" Veronica suggested. Everyone turned to look at her with varied expressions ranging from seriously considering it on Hermione's to Lavender's horrified shudder. "What you know you was thinking it. He's been working on taking as many of them out as he could."
"Which is why most of the remaining ones are hunkering down. Doubling up on their security and generally only dealing with people they know." Augusta sighed again.
"Well hopefully it won't be that bad." Harry declared.
===xxxx======xxxx=====xx
The news though was not good. School would be delayed until February first to give time to accommodate the changes. Modern Muggle items, clothing included, were banned unless a direct requirement was proven, such as eyeglasses. Curriculum changes would be occurring especially in the history of magic and muggle studies classes. No details had been given merely that new books would be required for those classes.
"Oh my goodness. This is not a good thing Harry. Look at this? They are doing just like I said and going backwards."
"I know I got the same letter." Harry grumped.
"So what are we going to do?" Hermione asked.
"Do what we always do try to muddle through."
"Great. I don't like this plan very much."
"Well unless you have a better one." Harry sighed deeply.
====xxxxx=====xxxx====xx
Sirius had scoped out the Malfoy townhouse in Mayfair. It was a nice big place set back from the street. No Fidelius or anything major. A house in the middle of a muggle community. Definitely a trap as there was only the most basic of wards on it. It was still Malfoy's though and that meant that he would destroy it just for the fun of it. Pulling up the long tube he double checked he was pointing it in the right direction then activated it. After hearing the tone that told him he was on target he pulled the trigger and the rocket was away. A few seconds later the house had the front facade dropped into rubble and flames began to rise into the sky. Car alarms across the neighborhood caterwauled into the night.
Sirius dropped the tube briefly. He definitely liked these and would be contacting that East German guy he met about getting a few more of these things. "Protego that bitch." He chuckled.
====xxxxx======xxxx
Severus sighed as he heard his doorbell ring. Tending to Pettigrew had made his temper short as well as trying to keep Narcissa distracted from pursuing hurting Potter's friends while still looking like he was helping. She was currently pursuing a false lead on the Granger parents location to keep her from going and killing Xenophilus Lovegood. If she did that Severus was not sure if Sirius would be the only threat she would be facing.
Looking through his peephole in the door he groaned slightly as he saw Sirius Black standing there bold as brass. Pettigrew was upstairs asleep as he was ordered by the dark lord to hide here and keep an eye on Severus. Deciding to open the door before Sirius removed it or who knows what else he took a deep breath and released the latch.
"Black! What are you doing here? I have nothing to tell you!" Severus yelled loudly and harshly, hoping that Sirius would suss out that he was not alone.
"Snivvy baby. No need to be so rude. I'm just coming by the see if you know where my dear cousin is? I wanted to talk to her for old times sake."
"I'll not help the likes of you." Severus said drawing his wand and using it to point upstairs, "You can just leave now. I will not rat her out."
Sirius' facial expression hardened immediately, "Really. Really you know what Snivvy I came here politely, I rang your doorbell even. This is the way you repay my kindness. Fine, Fine. Next time I won't be so polite." He spun and left slamming the door behind him.
Severus let go of his breath he had held briefly. Spinning around he saw the secret door to the upstairs creaking open, "Was that Black?" Pettigrew whined.
"Yes. It was." Snape frowned.
"What was he doing here?"
"I believe he was looking for Narcissa."
"Oh well. That's good then." Pettigrew relaxed as he stepped out only for a bright red stunner to hit him from the kitchen.
"Ahh thank you Sev for the gift here."
"You do realize this is going to put my position in the dark court in peril?"
"Well looks like you might have to make a choice and see which side you're going to be on then."
Snape sighed and braced himself, "Or we can make it look like I tried to fight you only for you to overcome my defenses and leave me for dead."
"Uh I don't do that. Not intentionally. Maybe we could injure you really badly and you just barely escape, abandoning the rat man to me. I mean everyone knows I'm rather focused on getting him."
"True. I would prefer you not do any permanent damage to the house some of the books are rather fragile and old."
"Fine. Let me just get this dirtbag secured. KREACHER!" Sirius called out and the elf arrived.
"Yes master of the Blacks."
"Lets get this rat man secured. He's an animagus so don't let him wake up until I'm ready for him."
"Yes master. He shall be kept secured." Kreacher took Pettigrew and popped out leaving the two wizards standing quietly in the room staring at each other. Snape trying to remain calm as he was literally putting his life in the hands of a madman. Sirius was standing looking at him with a small smirk.
"You know James saved your life once from a bad prank I played."
"I recall that."
"So you might want to cast a few combat spells from your wand, just in case the boss checks eh?"
"True. Although remember if you maim me too badly I cannot help you protect Harry and his friends."
"I know. And trust me sevvie that is the ONLY reason why you still walk this earth. As long as you help protect Harry you will continue to do so."
Swallowing his fear Snape nodded his agreement.
"Then lets get this party started eh?"
=====xxx=====xxx
Amelia was sitting in her home when there was a knock on the door. Her niece was with her friend at Potter's so she was safe. Taking her wand she checked who was at the door to find Moody on the other side. Sighing she called through the door.
"Who made you a man?"
A laughing bark came from the other side of the door, "One Miss Andrea Hartigan."
Opening the door Amelia shook her head. "And what she saw in you is still a mystery."
Coming in Moody shrugged, "I was a lot prettier back then."
"True. So what brings you to my doorstep in the middle of the night."
"Well I thought you might find it interesting. Malfoy's pretty mansion in Mayfair blew up earlier tonight. A few muggles got injured but we've got it covered as a gas leak."
"However?"
"However there are signs it was a rather more, shall we say, Sirius crime."
"Okay. I am not surprised. Black has been quite resourceful."
"Yeah the other event was a house in Cokeworth that also got a Sirius attention. The residence of one Severus Snape."
"He went after Snape?"
"So it would seem."
"Well that's all interesting but I'm unemployed right now so you're not supposed ot be telling me what's going on in the ministry Al."
"I'm not telling you anything you couldn't know just by reading the papers."
"Be that as it may the Ministry is not going to look favorably on anyone who is still friendly towards people like me."
"The Ministry is not the same place it used to be Melia. The times coming when folks are going to be choosing sides. So your being on the outs is going to be a temporary thing."
"I suppose."
====xxx===xx
Snape woke up in Saint Mungo's. He was not sure what exactly had happened as Sirius and he had dueled. He felt incredibly sore and pained as he shifted in the bed. He looked at his left arm in sudden horror as he realized it ended just above the elbow. Closing his eyes he cursed Sirius until he calmed down. Thinking about it though Severus realized something. He no longer wore the mark of the Dark Lord. Was this a attempt by Black to help him? Would it be possible to regrow his arm, without the mark? He was going to have to speak to the healers.
At least Pettigrew was no longer his problem. Snape spared a brief moment's thought on how Sirius was going to deal with the rat man but then decided that as unstable as Sirius had become he did not want to contemplate that.
Snape laid back and relaxed as one way or another he was done with the darkness. A great weight seemed to leave him.
====xxx===xx
Narcissa was livid in the manor house they had moved to on the banks of the Thames in Greenwich. Their Mayfair house had been destroyed with a muggle device without tripping any of their traps. She was not happy at all by this turn of events. Her dear cousin was becoming quite the thorn in her side, especially as Snape had been removed from the picture as well.
Lucius was annoyed but not at the loss of the Mayfair house, no he was annoyed that Sirius was able to move so freely, even with the entire muggle and magical government looking for him. Thicknesse was unable to find Black any more than Bones had been. It was like the man was a ghost moving among the living without being seen until it was too late.
The Dark Lord was unconcerned with the plight of the Malfoys. He was however quite upset that so many of his followers and foot soldiers appeared to be having issues. He was also annoyed that Narcissa was becoming distracted by her thirst for revenge. He might have to deal with that.
====xxxx===xxx
Peter Pettigrew when he woke up felt very odd. He tried to move but looking down saw that he had no arms or legs. Even if he shifted into his rat he would not be able to escape or run. He looked around the room he was trapped in as carefully as he could.
The room had no windows and only two doors across from the bunk he was laying in. It was painted a very ugly shade of green and a single electric light hung from the ceiling. There was a clock over the door that was ticking away in the silence.
Peter stopped watching the clock after several minutes. He had given up trying to figure out a way to escape and decided to just beg for mercy.
One of the doors to the room opened and Sirius strode in. Smiling and cheerful he pulled a chair up alongside the bed. "Good afternoon Peter. Sleep well?"
"It could have been better." Pettigrew tried to bluff but his voice had cracked and he whimpered.
"Oh come now Peter. We're old school chums. Remember the fun we used to have back in school. I know you do." Sirius said conversationally. Not really asking questions.
"I know Siri. I know you were not always the most stable one." Peter tried to match the friendly tone of his captor.
"Oh true. Yes I know James. No, no James I can do it. Its okay." Sirius said with his head turned to his right ignoring Peter for a moment before turning back with a vial that had seemed to appear out of nowhere. "Now Peter. I don't trust you anny further than I could spit a rat." He paused to giggle uncontrollably for several moments, "Any further. But I need information. I need to know what is going on and so here is some veritaserum. I'm going to give you a really really big dose, probably a borderline lethal dose, and then we are going to talk until your brains turn to mush. Okay?"
"Uh no not okay."
"Oh. Well I suppose there is always the torture but that is so inefficient and takes forever. Plus it makes lily squeamish. She really doesn't like it. Right James?" Sirius cheerfully nodded to his right.
Peter realized that Sirius had completely slipped the surly bonds of sanity. "Uh Siri maybe we should just forget this and let me go. Please?"
Sirius shook his head, "No I think the veritaserum is the best idea after all. So bottoms up." He said pouring the potion vial down Peter's throat. Forcing him to swallow by holding his nose. The potion absorbed through his tongue and face. He soon felt the floating disassociation from his body that the truth serum caused.
"Now Peter. Lets get busy."
====xxxx===xx
Several hours later Sirius was finished with Peter. He had picked his brain of all the information he had. Sirius found out about the Mayfair house having been a trap. Narcissa's desires to find the Grangers. The dark lord prohibiting her from going after Harry and his friends and lovers directly.
Sirius made note and began preparations though to deal with the rest of the issues. The Ministry was going to fall. That was nothing he could do. Nott was secured at Hogwarts and he couldn't touch him but thanks to Pettigrew he had a list of a lot more than could be touched. And would be touched.
===xxxx====xxx
Professor McGonnegal had arrived at Potter place along with Remus Lupin. Harry noticed that their faces were grim.
"What happened now?"
"Professor Snape was attacked by Sirius. He is in Saint Mungo's recovering but his house was destroyed." Remus explained.
Harry sighed, "Why would Sirius attack Snape?"
"I don't know Mr Potter. However the research into a cure for your friend Miss Abbot is going to be delayed until Severus recovers." Professor McGonnegal sadly said.
"How badly was he hurt?" Susan asked in concern.
"He lost his left arm from just above the elbow. Fortunately it was simple cutting charm so they are going to be able to regrow it." The professor explained.
"Okay. But his notes and any experiments?" Hermione asked.
"They are safe and he asked for them to be brought to you." Remus said pulling a few shrunken boxes out of his pockets before restoring them to their proper sizes.
"Here? Why here?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Well he felt that Miss Granger and Miss Brown would be able to carry on his work and as you still have three weeks before you must return to school it is possible you might figure out something. He has a great deal of faith in your skills, even if he does not admit it." Professor McGonnegal said with a slight smile.
"Well I'm flattered. Let's get these over to the labs and see what we can do." Hermione said as Harry and and the others started moving the boxes and equipment.
====xx===xx
Severus Snape was flexing his new arm. It had grown back without the dark mark burned into his flesh which was a pleasant surprise. He had considered how to remove the mark but no one had ever managed to do so before now. Karkaroff was the one that had tried the hardest and he failed over and over. Although he had to admit the concept of cutting ones arm off was not one most Death Eaters would consider.
He had been released from the hospital and was currently staying in his rooms in the school. He was considering if he would continue with his double agent role or not. He was currently free from the dark lord's influence and if he returned he would have to pay for losing Pettigrew.
A knock on his door made him jump briefly but smoothing his expression he answered the door.
The new headmaster stood on the other side.
"Ahh Severus. May I enter?"
"Yes please Reginald."
The short bearded man sneered his way across the room to a chair across a small table from its identical mate. "So you seem to have recovered well."
Sitting in the chair across from Nott Snape took a deep breath, "Yes I was quite lucky. Apparently Black considered me dead and left me alone."
"Rather odd wouldn't you say. Usually he's a bit more of a completionist."
"Perhaps he was rushed or is becoming sloppy."
"Perhaps. OR perhaps you are not as loyal to the dark lord as you are supposed to be."
"It is not your place to question my loyalties Reginald. I only have to prove my loyalty to him, not you." Severus said with a cold heat in his voice.
Reginald chuckled darkly, "Maybe. However I am going to expect you to help carry out the curriculum set by myself for this school. We cannot walk openly yet, however we can do quite a bit in the shadows."
"I will do my duty as is required." Severus stated.
"Yes I am certain you will. A few of our friends are joining the staff so you won't be lonely."
"Oh who are they?"
"Amycus and his wife Alecto. They are going to be the new muggle studies and Defense professors." He said with a smirk.
"They are not exactly the sort of people one would expect for those positions."
"Really? They have promised to restrain themselves. I accept their word, given my position as Headmaster, I am in charge of staff after all." Nott said leaving the implied threat hanging.
"Of course, Headmaster." Snape deferred
"Good, then let us begin to rebuild our society and our culture my friend."
====xxxx====xx
Hermione, Luna, Lavender and Neville had been working hard on the animagus notes that Snape had sent her. Their ability to alter the potion so that Hannah would be able to choose between her wolf and her human forms depended on overcoming not only the curse but the dark magic in the potion that had transformed her in the first place.
Snape was no longer able to directly help them as he was being watched by the Dark Lord's associates ever since Sirius left him alive. If he had been seen directly helping then he would have been killed and their research destroyed.
Remus Lupin, Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonnegal and Professor Flitwick had joined them in their efforts though. Working hard on a formula of spells and potions to restore Hannah. Remus had pointed out that if this worked they would be able to offer it to other lycanthropes as a way of overcoming their condition too. Possibly. A way to maybe recruit a great many of them away from the forces of darkness.
A few days before they were to go back they had a preliminary process they felt might work. Hannah's parents were called down to Potterplace to discus it.
"We think we can give Hannah the ability to control which form she is in. The process involves her drinking a two part potion while certain spells are cast on her." Hermione explained.
Hannah's mother sighed, "And what are the risks?"
"Well, she could be trapped in a in-between form, she could experience a great deal of pain only for nothing to happen, there is of course always the possibility of uh, dying." Hermione finished quietly. The ones who had worked with her had chosen her to be the one to explain the process. Not so much for her great people skills but for being able to honestly explain it so that the Abbots could understand what was going on.
"And the alternative is to wait for a better process to come along?" Mister Abbot asked.
"Well that might be some time. We think we have it right now."
"And she'll be able to go back and forth between the two forms at will?" Mrs Abbot asked.
"Yes. Its a derivative of the animagus process. Her natural form will unfortunately be that of the wolf but her human form will be able to be stayed in for however long she desires." Minerva interrupted to clarify.
Everyone looked at the large wolf that was sitting between Mrs Abbot and Susan. She had her head down and was watching everyone calmly.
"So Hannah do you want to try this?" Hermione asked hopefully.
The wolf stood up and came over to her. Licking her face she huffed and put her head on Hermione's shoulder.
Hermione hugged the neck of the shaggy wolf and said, "Okay. We'll get started and hopefully within the hour you'll be back to you."
===xxx===xx
They had the space set up and Hannah in the middle of it. She was given the first potion which caused her to gag and whimper then the spells began. Minerva, Flitwick and Remus all three sending magic into the wolf girl. When they had completed that step Hannah was panting and whimpering louder but took the next potion.
When she drank that one she began to writhe on the ground howling in pain it sounded like. Bones and muscles began to creak and snap it sounded like as her form began to melt and shift back into that of a human girl.
Hannah began to resemble herself more and more with each passing second the howls of the wolf replaced with the agonized screams of a human girl but soon she was curled on the floor of the workspace covered in a sheen of sweat. Sitting up everyone noticed there were still a few aspects of the wolf about her. Her eyes were a golden amber color, her canine teeth were still rather obvious, she had six breasts and a rather hairy pubic region but otherwise was the tall blonde they had known from before.
Susan ran over and grabbed her friend in a tight hug, "Hannah? Hannah is it you?"
Hannah hugged her friend back tightly, "Yeah its me. I'm human again." She cried.
Madam Pomfrey stepped up, "Pardon me for interrupting but lets get you checked out and see how you're doing."
Hannah and Susan rose holding hands and followed the matron to an exam table that had been placed in the corner of the lab.
The rest of the friends and team sighed in relief as the Abbots went to join their daughter.
====xxx====xx
In the middle of January the crew flooed to the platform at King's Crossing. They were met by inspectors from the Ministry who checked them for any contraband. Going through their belongings they seized Hermione's knickers as they were of muggle origin. Causing Hermione to almost lose her cool before being reminded that they wanted her to do so that way they could punish her.
They changed into their robes and cloaks before boarding the train in a special group of rooms set aside to remove all unauthorized muggle items. Coming out Harry held Hermione's hand, both as a gesture of moral support and to prevent her from hexing anyone as she was in a very foul mood.
He waved to Charley and Archibald and they waved back. They were watching things with a grim expression. The train itself had been cleaned and repaired.
Harry saw a pair of auror with brooms standing by the cab. Asking Archie what was the deal with them he discovered they would ride ahead of the train and watch for any obstructions or abnormalities in the track.
The crew settled into a compartment wondering what the rest of this year was going to be like and how they would get through it.
====xxxx===(Review Reponses)
Dennisud: There is always light in the darkness for those who have hope.
Timekeeper: Oh yes. The war will come a lot earlier.