HEY! So I wanted to post a chapter before the New Year, but it seems it is already the New Year in some places. Either way, here's to hoping that everyone likes this chapter.

Also, 402 people are following this story...again I say...what?

I don't have a lot to say besides thank you, thank you so, so much! This is a belated Christmas and Happy New Year chapter, I do hope you enjoy this!

Please review and let me know what you think.

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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, and only the story line and any OC's belong to me.

September 4th, 1973

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hermione had heard many stories about Silvanus Kettleburn, as well as seeing him several years in the future but she had never been taught by the man as he had retired the year Hagrid began teaching. Sirius and James were now engaged in a conversation where they theorised about how the man had lost most of his limbs.

"Sixty-two probations, Draco, sixty-two," Hermione said with a shake of her head.

"From what I gather he's a very intriguing individual," Draco responded, grinning at Hermione's scowl.

The Potter twins were a little ways back away from the other Marauders as they made their way to their first Care of Magical Creatures class for the school year; and with the exception of them, ever.

"You have to admit that Hagrid was a far better teacher," Hermione huffed; Draco didn't make fun of the half-giant anymore, in fact he had started going down to see him on weekends by himself in the latter half of the previous school year. He would never admit it out loud. Despite this, old habits die hard, and Hermione was used to defending the lovable man.

"Hermione, if given enough time, I think he too would have amassed a similar number of probations," Draco teased, Hermione glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest. "I do quite like the man, but you have to admit, those classes weren't the most enjoyable."

"He just had to figure out what worked best and how to do it is all, after that he was a great teacher," Hermione insisted.

"Buckbeak-"

"If you dare say anything bad about that wonderful-"

"It was a good lesson...I may have been a bit of a prat," Draco interjected quickly.

"Did you just admit to being wrong?" Hermione's eyes widened, a disbelieving smile on her face.

"Welcome!" A loud, cheery voice said in front of them. Hermione hadn't even noticed that they had reached their classroom. Soon they all moved into the room to sit down at their respective tables. Hermione sat at a desk which sat three people, with Draco and Remus on either side of her; Sirius, Peter and James at the desk in front of them.

"My name is Professor Silvanus Kettleburn, and I will be your Care of Magical Creatures teacher." Silvanus Kettleburn was a rather plump, jolly looking man, his hair was a dusty silvery colour, and he had several scratches and scars littering his body. A lot of scar tissue from burns travelled from beneath his collar up his neck and ended just above his jaw on the left side of his body. He had one arm and piece of his right leg left, a wooden peg attached to it. Which is what James and Sirius had been most excited to see last night; Professor Kettleburn tended to stay in his quarters a good portion of the time, he had however come to the feast on the very first day of school. Hermione met his warm, brown eyes and smiled. James and Sirius were going to love this man and his classes. "Before we begin, are there any questions?"

Draco snorted when Sirius' hand shot up as quickly as a lightning bolt. Kettleburn nodded to show Sirius he could go ahead. Hermione groaned when she saw the broad grin on the Black boy's face. Oh no. Turning her head away she spotted a couple Ravenclaws watching Sirius with interest. She identified them as Emmeline Vance and Dorcas Meadowes.

"Professor, what can you tell me about Werewolves?" Sirius asked cheerily.

Draco reached around Hermione and gently clapped Remus on the back whilst silently laughing. James was clutching his sides as he tried to muffle his own laughter, Peter saw this and joined in, Remus groaned and began to rub his temples. Sirius Black! Hermione scolded mentally. She reached forward and jabbed Sirius' back since he was directly in front of her.

"Well Mister-"

"Sirius Black, your soon to be favourite student. Charmed to meet you, Sir." Kettleburn chuckled softly at that and then continued.

"Mister Black, that is not on our syllabus unfortunately," Hermione frowned when she saw the disgruntled look in her teacher's eye. "However, you do learn about it this year in Defense Against the Dark Arts if I do remember correctly. Ask your new teacher, I'm sure she will know all about that particular creature, wonderful creature that it is." Remus looked a bit off put by their Professor's cheery smile, deciding instead to change the topic himself.

"Professor, what is on the syllabus then?"

"Ah, Mister Lupin correct?"

"Yes, Sir."

"You look a great deal like your Father, Lyall yes?"

"Yes, Sir," Remus said a bit quieter this time around.

"Well for starters I've been told to behave and be nice for your first lesson, which is why today we'll be looking at Flobberworms," Kettleburn looked offended by the very concept. Gesturing for them to gather around the desk, he reached down behind his desk and placed several jars of Flobberworms on the desk. "I know it isn't the most exciting thing, but we're starting small and going up from there." Ten inch, toothless brown worms. It certainly wasn't the most thrilling thing but it was a lot better than some of the other things she had to deal with. Hunting down Horcruxes was certainly tiring, I feel somewhat bad that we haven't been hunting them down, but I can't help but feel like Harry may not be born if we do. It's a strange feeling, and I've never really believed much in prophecies and the such like, but I can't shake it.

The rest of the lesson passed fairly quickly, even though the subject matter wasn't particularly entertaining; Professor Kettleburn was quite charming and hilarious. A bit crazy from what she gathered but rather delightful. All the best people were a little bit mad she found. Not too much though, just a teeny bit.

Hermione had been inclined to think that Sirius couldn't possibly find any way to get himself in trouble with Flobberworms. She was proved very, very wrong when the Slytherins found Flobberworms under their bed sheets that night. How he had gotten in there she had no clue, but she knew he had borrowed James' invisibility cloak. He probably just waited until someone was going in and snuck in with them. Hermione watched her boys laugh and crack up about it the next morning, a deep fondness in her heart. They're idiots, but they're my idiots.

...

September 6th, 1973

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Gryffindor Common Room

"So what's everyone think about the first week of classes so far?" Hermione piped up, curled up next to Remus on the couch in the Common Room, his arm laid across the back of the couch behind her.

"Care of Magical Creatures was pretty entertaining, Divination seems a bit rubbish. I think you're either a Seer or you aren't," Sirius said, his head laying against Hermione's knees as he sat at the foot of the couch. James was sitting cross-legged next to Draco on the ground facing the others, whilst Peter was on the other end of the couch, bundled up under a blanket.

"I quite like Ancient Runes," Remus added, scratching behind his ear.

"Speaking of, how's Evans today?" James' head snapped up. Draco was a wee bit suspicious of his brother; so far he hadn't asked Lily out for the year yet, and it was highly unlike him. He also heavily doubted that it was because he had calmed down.

"Lily is great, James," Remus smiled slightly, shaking his head.

"You study with her sometimes...right?" James asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Yes, Jamie," Hermione answered for Remus this time. "When she's not off exploring the greenhouses and jotting down notes, in the Potions lab experimenting, transfiguring random things in our dorm, or practicing Charms at Breakfast."

"She really is quite extraordinary isn't she?" Draco said quietly, sharing a quick look with Hermione.

"She lives and breathes magic, those Slytherins and other blood Supremacists don't know what the fuck they're talking about when they say Muggleborns aren't as talented or brilliant as the rest of us," Sirius scowled deeply, a dark look on his face. Most likely thinking of his parents...I was one of those people...wasn't I? Draco thought morosely, his grey eyes met Hermione's hazel ones and he saw a hot fire blazing in them. As if daring him to start berating himself over the past and see what she would do about it.

"The only disadvantage is that Muggleborns are introduced into our world practically eleven years into their lives. They aren't raised knowing that them making their toys float around the room, or making their classmates pigtail disappear when they called them a mean name is completely normal." Hermione said softly, knuckles white as she clasped her hands together. "They're kind of thrown into it all and then because they don't know certain things that Purebloods or Half-Bloods would normally since they were raised right in the thick of it, they're seen as lesser."

"Are you alright, Mione?" James asked, brow furrowed in worry. Sirius had twisted around and grabbed one of her hands in his. Remus' arm dropped and wrapped around her shoulders.

"Yea, fine. Why?" Hermione asked, facial expression innocent and the epitome of naivety.

"Nothing, you seemed a bit upset is all," James responded in a concerned tone.

"Well-"

Whatever Sirius was about to say was cut off by Gideon and James Thomas' arrival.

"A little birdy told me that you six have a bit of a prank in the works," Gideon grinned brightly, sitting down on the couch arm, crossing one knee over the other and linking his hands together over his kneecap.

"Now what little birdy is that?" Draco immediately turned to Sirius.

"What? Don't look at me," Sirius put a hand to his chest, looking affronted at the very accusation.

"It was me," Hermione rolled her eyes, "I was just warning them not to drink the Pumpkin juice tomorrow."

"From one prankster and mischief maker to another," Gideon winked at Hermione, whose head had dropped onto Remus' shoulder.

"Tomorrow should be fun then from what I gather?" James Thomas grinned.

"Look forward to it, Minnie should be happy," Sirius smirked happily. "Minnie should be very happy indeed.

Happy New Year everyone! The prank chapter should be up soon, hopefully over the next few days, but I have to get ready for a huge test in a few days even though I don't start school officially for another two weeks. I am going to hopefully have up all the Christmas Drabbles by then...it's been slow but we're definitely getting there. Thank you all for your patience with me and that. Thank you very, very much.

I hope everyone's Holidays have been going well and you're all having a lovely night!

I love you all,

Indieblue xxx