"Sirius?" Remus leaned against the brick wall of Platform nine and three quarters and watched his fellow Marauder out of the corner of his eye. Ahead of them the twins and Hermione boarded the train, following the enthusiastic Harry who'd gone ahead to secure a compartment.
Sirius rubbed his temples.
"I get the feeling Moony, that whatever you're going to say is going to upset me deeply and bother me for months on end."
"Then I shan't say it."
The two men stood in silence watching the bustling platform.
"All right. Tell me before I explode."
Remus grinned in triumph.
"It's about Hermione."
"Nice girl isn't she?"
"Oh undeniably. But that's not the point."
"And the point is..." A load whistle signaled the train pulling out of the station. The platform was engulfed in steam and smoke for a while and Remus waited until it had cleared before continuing.
"Did you notice she only had two changes of clothes?"
"What!" Sirius, who'd never been very good at not over reacting, yelled across the platform.
"I asked Filly. She's been washing and repairing them for her. She's seems quite taken with the girl."
"Does the school know about this?"
"I seriously doubt it. You remember how it was Padfoot. We wore school uniform almost all the time. Most wore it all day even at weekends. Without Hogsmead trips, how could anyone notice? I guarantee you the boys haven't."
"How do you know?" They wandered through the brick wall and back into muggle London.
"Sirius how much time did you spend noticing girls clothes?" Remus challenged, smiling slightly.
"I dunno. I spent more time trying to get them out of them to be honest."
"Exactly. I think I'm going to write to McGonagall with my concerns."
"Isn't that a bit drastic?"
"No. Sirius I was as poor as they came in Hogwarts and even I had more changes of clothes than her."
"Maybe it's a muggle thing."
"Your forgetting something."
"What?" Sirius pushed his way past a flock of businessmen and glared onwards.
"Hermione isn't a muggle. She's a witch. Those policies and rules don't apply to her any longer. Officially speaking she's a ward of the school and as such it is their concern that she is clothed and fed properly."
"All right. You win Moony."
Remus grinned.
"On a completely unrelated subject...Why haven't you proposed to Amelia yet?"
"I haven't found the right moment."
"Uh huh. Sirius you've been dating for nearly ten years. She'll be thirty nine next summer. For the love of Merlin, would you do it already?"
"Do you think it'll bother him?"
"Who?"
Sirius rung his hands slightly.
"Harry."
"Amelia has been like a mother to Harry all his life. If I remember correctly you spent your first date standing around his cot making faces at him. He loves both Amy and Susan. Stop using your son as an excuse."
Sirius glared dramatically at him. "One day Moony you will fall in love. And I will never let you forget it."
Remus just rolled his eyes and ruffled his hair.
"What ever you say Pads. What ever you say."
Hermione arrived back at Hogwarts in a much better state than she'd left. It felt nice to have someone else know and understand the bond she had with the twins. Well perhaps not understand but be sympathetic. Sirius had provided her with a book on the matter which she intended to read at the earliest opportunity. As well as that someone, and Hermione strongly suspected Filly, had re-hemmed all of her dresses and patched the holes. The work was so well done that Hermione wouldn't have noticed the patches had she not remembered the holes being there in the first place. Still it was good to be back at school. Now they knew the enchanted hair gel worked, Fred had placed it in the Slytherin bathrooms the instant they got back to school. Although he refused to tell anyone how he got into the Slytherin Dungeons. Draco Malfoy had fallen for it five times before working it out, sporting hairstyles of various colours and daftness. The recipe was gleefully added to the twins book of successful pranks.
The school was buzzing with gossip when they returned. The gamekeepers hut had burned down and there was now a loose dragon in the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid could often be seen wandering the grounds with a bucket of meat and a teddy bear shouting for the dragon he had named, for reasons known only to himself, "Norbert". Norbert had managed to enrage the centaurs who resided in the forest. According to the Patil twins a group of "gorgeous" centaurs had made their way up to the castle to appeal with the Headmaster. Apparently a group Romanian Dragon Tamers were flying over at Dumbledore's request to deal with it, including Charlie Weasley the twins older brother.
Tonight, however,was Monday and the first of Hermione's week of detentions. She stood outside the thick oak door, tapping her fingers nervously against her wand, which emitted green sparks at rhythmic intervals.
"Come in Miss Granger."
Damn. How had she known?
Reluctantly Hermione pushed the door open and stepped into the quiet office. Professor McGonagall sat imperiously behind her large desk and watched the young girl. She had to admit she'd been worried when she'd received her letter from Remus.
"Professor."
Minerva gestured to the seat in front of the desk.
"Have a seat."
Hermione perched on the edge of the chair and regarded her with large brown eyes. There wasn't any anger or fear in those eyes. Just quiet determination.
"Why did you leave school without informing a member of staff or asking permission?"
"Honestly Professor, I didn't think anyone would notice I was gone. Had Professor Flitwick not been looking for me you wouldn't have found out at all. The security arrangements are extremely lacking in this school."
Minerva dragged in a shocked gasp. Then one corner of those pursed laps twitched slightly and Minerva McGonagall burst into peals of laughter. Hermione watched her professor chuckle for several minuets before she regained her composure.
"You may have a point there. We will have to review protocol if one first year can slip through on her own. Even if she is friends with the Weasley twins."
"Please don't Professor. It'll make it harder the next time I want to leave."
"Why did you not ask for permission?"
"I believed that Professor Dumbledore would not allow me to leave without accompanying me to Mister Black's residence."
"Well done for saying residence instead of house or cottage or manse. Stops anyone picking up on things...unintentionally."
Those brown eyes widened slightly.
"I'm surprised you picked up on that."
"In future, simply inform me of your intentions for holidays and that should be sufficient. I can understand your reluctance to deal with the Headmaster. You are a very loyal friend to Mr Black."
"Professor do you ever get the feeling your talking to someone about a secret, which you believe they are aware of but you yourself are unwilling to reveal the actual secret?"
Minerva smiled. "Miss Granger I find myself in that situation with increasing regularity."
"Interesting phenomenon isn't it?"
"Very."
There was a pause where both witches tried to hide their smiles. Minerva held out a tin.
"Have a biscuit Granger."
"Thank you." Hermione ate her digestive quietly and glanced around the room. "What exactly will I be doing for my detentions?"
"Oh various things."
Hermione frowned slightly. In her, truthfully limited, experience, this was not how detentions were supposed to go.
"So tell me about home?"
Taken aback by the sudden change in topic, Hermione blinked and then scowled.
"Who wrote to you?" She asked, voice deadpanned.
"What?" Carefully constructed puzzlement coloured the teachers voice.
"I'm no fool Professor. I have the strongest feeling that this conversation is about to turn into one about my home life. Believe me I am no novice at these discussions. My primary hosted three of these one of which resulted in an enquiry at my orphanage. All three were because of well meaning letters sent by parents. So who wrote to you?"
"Remus Lupin."
Hermione growled slightly and leaned back, somewhat ungracefully, in her chair.
"And I was starting to like him too. Very well Professor. Ask your questions."
"Is it true that you don't have many changes of clothes?"
"I have several dresses which are my uniform from London, one pair of jeans, a t-shirt, a jumper knitted by Mrs Weasley and several sets of underware which I do not wish to discuss."
"Is that it?"
Hermione nodded. "Please understand. I am one of many back home, it is impossible for them to clothes us all. So the uniforms make it easier and they get washed frequently."
"Very well. How did you pay for your school equipment?"
"I used money. How do you pay for things?" The expression of innocent puzzlement was not lost on McGonagall.
"Miss Granger."
Hermione chuckled slightly.
"I used my own money which I had collected by myself and exchanged it at Gringotts."
"Did Professor Dumbledore not tell you about the fund for orphans?"
"I was not aware of it until now Professor. It makes sense for such a thing to exist. If I would be able to make use of it this summer I would be most grateful. I will not have had the time to collect enough money for new books."
"Collect?"
"Mmm."
Minerva recognised where she wasn't going to get anywhere and changed the subject.
"I believe that is enough. But will you tell me about yourself? And your parents?"
Hermione looked at the teacher and stared into the eyes framed by spectacles.
"Very well..."
And Hermione talked. She told her about her parents and their lives as dentists. Their home, birthdays, the orphanage, how she missed her books. And McGonagall listened, asking questions where appropriate and sharing her own stories. When the three hours were over and Hermione had been sent back to Gryffindor Tower, Minerva came and found me in my office. She sat down and smiled at me and said,
"Filius I believe I am very lucky today. I have met someone who is truly wonderful. Miss Granger possesses all the talents I would wish my own daughter to have. She's forthright, intelligent, loyal, brave, devious, rather funny, I almost wish I could..."
She broke off at this point and gazed in to the fire. To this day she has never told me what it was she was considering. But whatever it was, it brought a smile to my friends face and for that I am grateful.
Well detention had certainly been enlightening. Albiet slightly fattening. Hermione brushed biscuit crumbs off her robes and slipped quietly down the hall. She paused at the entrance to the third floor corridor. There was no one around and now seemed the best opportunity to investigate something that had been bothering her since the Sorting Ceremony in September.
Threats of death were all very well but in a school! With hundreds of students around, many of whom had powerful and rich parents? Hermione suspected that Dumbledore's warning was little more than vast exaggeration. She'd asked the Twins and Percy, who'd both told her that the corridor had been open last year and housed nothing special, save a few empty classrooms. Besides if it was really dangerous surely it would be locked and secured to such an extent that she wouldn't be able to get into the danger, whatever it was.
She pulled out her wand and regarded the wooden door. A quick Alohamora later and the door unlocked. Hermione shook her head in amazement as her jaw dropped. This was just daft. Honestly this school contained some of the most powerful and clever teachers in the magical world and they had left a potentially corridor virtually wide open. If Hermione could get in with a basic first year spell, what exactly was stopping the rest of the school? Obviously it couldn't be that bad.
Still Hermione was cautious. Being friends with the twins had taught her that much at least. She cracked open the door and peered, cautiously into the room. The three giant shaggy heads, rested quietly on their paws, eyes blearily gazing around the bland room. Hermione shut the door with a quiet snick and leaned against the rough stone wall, trying to catch her breath. That was a Cerebrus, a creature of Greek Mythology. It was impossible.
It was at this point that Hermione remembered that she was a witch, living in a school of magical beings, with a highly unusual soul bond and that she really ought to stop being surprised by things like this.
But still it was a highly dangerous creature. And some idiot had just tied it up in a school corridor? What kind of moron thought that was a good idea? Hermione breathed deeply and searched her memory. It had been sometime since she'd been interested in Greek legends. What was it the myths said? Music tames the savage beast? Something like that. A small voice whispered to her that perhaps she should go back to the dormitory. She didn't want to be killed or expelled.
She frowned. Surely it would be the other way around. Hermione rubbed her temples and sighed. She had her priorities out of order. What would the twins think? They'd never let her live it down if she went back to the common room now.
That decided it.
Quickly and quietly Hermione slipped through the unlocked doorway and closed it behind her, pressing her back to the wood, hand still wrapped around the handle. Immediately the dog focused on her, low rumbling growls coming from fanged mouths. Hermione froze in fear and just stared, wide-eyed at the creature. The large collar around it's neck was metal and the chain holding it to the wall was large and heavy and stretched tight. It couldn't reach her unless it broke through the links. This calmed her slightly and Hermione held out a hand for it to sniff, stepping forward slightly. She refused to flinch as it sniffed in deeply it's nose about a foot from her hand. The growling stopped and she stepped slightly closer, ignoring the part of her which was yelling for her to get out of there NOW!
The dog leaned as close as it could and drooled liberally over her hand. Hermione chuckled. It reminded her of a dog her neighbour had had.
Quietly at first, but with increasing confidence and strength she began to sing. She'd forgotten the words to the lullaby her mother had sung to her, but the words weren't important. The tune was. She leaned forward and scratched a giant ear and was immediately nudged by two other heads who were looking for attention.
"Aw." She crooned "You're just a big softy aren't you. Bet you're bored out of your mind in here."
A loud banging came from the back as the dog wagged it's tail and hit the stone walls, much to Hermione's amusement.
Eventually the dog fell asleep and she left, heart still banging in her chest.
She couldn't wait to tell the twins about the trapdoor under the dogs feet.
"Are you INSANE?" Fred shrieked at her.
Hermione sighed.
"The last time I checked...no. Why do you think it's something I should be concerned about?"
Fred's mouth twitched slightly into an unwilling smile.
"We could feel your fear through the bond. When you didn't come back after your detention we got worried. You could have found another bloody troll for all we knew."
"But instead you went into the Third Floor corridor which we've been banned from for good reason. If Dumbledore says not to go in there then even we listen to him."
George cuddled her closer and sighed, fluffing her hair slightly as he did so. Fred groaned and sat on her other side, curling up next to her.
"They were asking for someone to break in. It's not my fault."
Fred and George raised disbelieving eyebrows.
"So you just cast an unlocking charm by accident, and then fell through the door in a completely unrelated incident?"
She sniffed slightly.
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you Fred. Look I'm sorry but aren't you curious?"
"About?"
Hermione's eyes blazed with curiosity.
"What's through that trapdoor?"
Fred groaned.
"Isn't it supposed to be us leading you into danger?"
"We've been a bad influence on you little Amazon."
Hermione huffed and jumped off the desk, brushing dust off her clothes.
"I'm off to bed then."
"Speaking of which..."
"How've you been sleeping?"
She shrugged and peered around the doorway.
"I got about three hours. Not bad really. Night Cassy and Polly."
A long freckled arm reached out and dragged her back into the room to stand in front of them.
"Cassy and Polly? That's your idea of a nickname?"
"Yeah." She scratched her nose. "Like Castor and Pollux. The Gemini twins."
George sighed.
"Keep trying Granger."
"Who would know about magical creatures?"
Percy glanced up at Hermione from his homework and frowned in thought.
"Well I suppose the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Kettleburn. But he's in the hospital wing. Unfortunate incident with a tree dryad. If it's urgent you could ask Hagrid."
She wrinkled her nose in thought.
"The tall gentleman with the beard?"
"That's him."
"Thank you Mr Weasley."
Percy blinked and watched in amazement as the tiny girl strode off.
"She sounds eerily like McGonagall sometimes." He mused.
"Explain to me again, why we're going to see Hagrid?"
Hermione grinned at George.
"Because you two love me and will do anything to make me happy."
"But why?"
Hermione trudged through the thick snow, that still covered the ground in late January and smiled angelically. Neither twin was fooled.
"Because I hate not knowing things. I would have thought you two would be more that happy to help me. I can always got and get Ron if you like."
Fred snorted with laughter, as George grinned weakly.
"I think for the safety of our younger brother you had better let us stay. He'd annoy you and you'd hurt him."
"Shut up Polly."
George's groan of frustration was cut off by Hermione rapping on the door of the Gamekeepers newly repaired hut with her fist. As the footsteps on the other side got closer she pushed the twins forward and slipped behind them, looking every inch the timid first year.
Hagrid pulled open the door and glanced straight over their heads before thinking to look down.
"Fred! George!" The giant pulled them into a bone crushing hug before finally spotting Hermione.
"Whose this then?"
"This is Hermione."
"She's a first year we're corrupting."
Hermione noticed the twins had taken to playing with their bracelets when they lied. It was a purely subconscious gesture. Hermione stared wide eyed up at Hagrid and muttered a quiet, "Hello."
"We thought we'd bring her down to see you."
Hagrid stood aside and ushered them into his cabin.
"Might a' well stay for some tea then. Just put the pot on to brew." There was a small banging noise as he turned to grab three mugs hanging from hooks. Out of the corner of his eye Fred saw Hermione slip her wand out of her sleeve and point it at Hagrid, muttering quietly. Before he could confront her on it, Hagrid had turned back with three steaming mugs, and one large bucket, full of tea.
"Thank you." Hermione sipped the hot liquid thoughtfully as Fred and George talked about how school had been treating them and the latest pranks they'd caused.
"Mr Hagrid?" Hermione piped up. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Don't see why not?" He smiled kindly at the girl who beamed back.
"I was wondering if you could tell me about the Cerebrus."
The bearded face brightened.
"You interested in magical creatures?" She nodded eagerly. "You two have got another Charlie here." He took a large drink from his bucket and frowned slightly.
"Well there's the obvious I suppose. They love music, very friendly most of the time but also very intelligent creatures. I was telling a friend of mine, the man who sold me Norbert in fact, 'bout the one I raised from a pup. I called 'im Fluffy. Lovely boy he was."
"What happened to him?"
"Oh nothin. He's working up at the castle for Dumbledore. Guardin'. Great guard dogs they are. Almost impossible to sneak up on, unless it's a bit of a softy."
"Wow." Hermione breathed out in what she hoped would be perceived as awe. "So what's he guarding up there?"
Hagrid chuckled slightly.
"Nah. I couldn't tell you that. That's between Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."
"Ah. So tell me more about Norbert. I find the process of dragon rearing fascinating. What sort of brandy did you use?"
It was half past nine by the time they escaped. Dodging the prefects on patrol, they arrived back at the crowded Common Room, Hermione grinning smugly the whole way. The twins didn't even pause, just grabbed an arm each and dragged her up to their dorm room. Lee was still downstairs, trying to impress Alicia and Fred locked the door behind them to prevent any other interruptions.
"I really hope you have a good reason for making us listen to Hagrid ramble on about dragons for the last hour."
Hermione frowned in confusion
"Dragons are fascinating. Weren't you enjoying yourselves?"
"Hermione?"
"Yes George?"
"What exactly was that about?"
"And what was with the nifty spell work?"
Hermione sighed and leaned forward on Fred's bed, cuddling the pillow.
"I needed to know what possible reason someone could have for storing a vicious creature in a school full of magical children. And before you say anything, yes I needed to know. I can't stand unsolved mysteries. So I asked Perfect Percy who would be best to ask and he told me to go to Hagrid. So I did."
"And the spell?" Asked Fred.
She shrugged delicately.
"Simple babbling hex. I estimated that given Hagrid's large size and that I am a tiny, little, insignificant and innocent first year," Both twins snorted. "The spell would only make him slightly more talkative."
"You are terrifyingly devious sometimes."
"And you needed us there why?"
"It would have looked strange if a previously unknown first year was to introduce herself and ask about three-headed dogs. You two were my cover."
George groaned.
"Remind me why we're friends with you again?"
She waved her hands at him and widened her eyes comically.
"We are fated to be the bestest of friends for forever and ever. And be followed around by rainbows and kittens and toffee." She sobered slightly. "Anyway at least we know what the dog is doing there."
"We do?"
Hermione scowled.
"Don't you two ever listen? Yes we do. The dog is obviously guarding something. The key to which is Nicholas Flamel."
Twin expressions of confusion looked up at her.
"Who is that?"
"I have no idea."
Dear Mr R Lupin,
Whilst I appreciate your concern and worry for my person, I feel it is necessary to inform you personally of several facts regarding my well being.
1. I am not mistreated at my current lodgings. I am small in size due to genetics and not to malnutrition. My clothes are well worn but they fit and they suit my purposes.
2. Hogwarts School, whilst legally being my guardian, is not responsible for my well fare out side of school. Any concerns you may have should go, in future, either to myself or to my head care worker. Never should you bring myself up to the attention of the school board. I am unsure as to whether or not you are aware of the procedure for muggleborns, found in lacking homes. When the school is made aware of it the Ministry will remove the child from their previous home, obliviate their guardians and place them for adoption inside the wizarding community. This is wrong Mr Lupin. I have no wish to be taken from my current home, nor lose access to the world I grew up in. In this instance we can only be thankful that Professor McGonagall chose to bring these matters up with myself.
3. I feel that this is the most important fact of all.
None of the above is your business. Whilst I am grateful for your hospitality over the Christmas break, it does not give you a right to interfere in my life. I am perfectly capable of looking after myself.
Please in future refrain from meddling in that which does not concern you.
Yours sincerely,
Hermione J Granger
(Letter donated to this publication by )
A/N
Hello. We're a bit shorter today, but never mind.
Thank you to all my awesome reviewers.
CLARIFICATION.
The letter at the end of the last chapter. The bit where Molly asks if they can adopt Hermione? That was a joke. Like when your mum says to your friend "Oh you're so polite. Can you stay forever?" That sort of thing. Hermione will not end up being sister to the twins. :)
Un-beta-ed as always.
Keep the reviews coming.
Hood Out.