Hello Beautiful people!
Because I just discovered the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack (the FULL soundtrack!) on Spotify I am giving you another chapter, while I sing about Gaston.
Don't judge me, Luke Evans is dreamy.
And nobody's neck is incredibly thick like Gaston's!
Ok I will stop... For now...
He is everyone's favourite guy!

Dammit LeFou! Why do you have to sing such catchy tunes!

XOXO
Natstar

SHATTER ME

Chapter 16

It was a fractured landscape of jagged shards of frozen grey smoky glass. Yet each time Hermione looked into the reflections of the shards that seemed so sharp to threaten to shred her very soul, she saw instead of the swirled grey segments that looked like parts of a movie out of order.

She saw a boy so like Harry but not Harry. The boy in the glass shard had the bluest of blue eyes she had ever seen. He came running out of the darkness through various pieces of the Sharpened mirrored landscape that Hermione now stood in. She felt like she was in a mirror house unable to trust any reflection. All showing slightly different angles of the same boy running towards her.

Hermione's heart leapt in her chest and tried to flee the blue eyed boy in the mirror her long red dress flying behind her. A bright red dress with a plunging vee neck that appeared tattered and stained. She ran through the fragmented world, her arm slicing against a shard the red of blood blending into the dress as it gushed. She kept running, fear and adrenalin pushing her further, as the shards now showed a very real threat to run from.

Piercing yellow eyes, large teeth, tall ears, and a long snout – Werewolf; her mind identified this image. It was ready to attack her. She could almost feel the growls. Even the shards seem to shudder as she ran on and on, trying to evade the predator of her nightmares; its paw seemingly reaching out of the glass to swipe at her.

Hermione stumbled and fell, putting out her arms. More slices against her skin, her dress resembling more and more ragged ribbons. Hermione covered her face, her chest heaving from exertion. When she finally looked up again the smoky grey glass was just shattered glass. No werewolf in sight. But there was a growing feeling of dread building inside her.

All the reflections in the glass seemed to be swirling grey. Darkening. Hermione expelled the air in her lungs and it came out in a fog. Out of the corner of her eye something darker than the swirling grey moved. She turned towards it but it was gone. She took a step backwards. The grey landscape hiding where she had come from. Even the blood dripping from her wounds seemed to disappear into the floor.

The floor. What floor? Hermione stared down at her feet. Wisps of grey fog seems to swirl around her. Shifting aside as she moved but never revealing where she stood. The realisation of feeling nothing made her heart drop. At the same time something dark in the corner of her eye moved again. Hermione began to turn but something reflected from the shard on her left moved like a shadow. The swirling fog also seemed to be thickening and growing. Shadows reflecting back to her. The fog pressing against her.

Hermione began fighting it. She couldn't move. The shadows now seemingly swooping in the reflections, always just out of her vision, yet seemingly drawing closer. The grey fog grew higher reaching her chest. Her bright red dress no longer visible her arms feeling trapped. She cried out as she fought against it. The more she fought the more the shadows seemed to press closer towards her…

"Hermione! Wake up!" Remus and Ginny tried to untangle her from her blankets as Hermione cried out again in her nightmare.

"Hermione!" Ginny's shrill voice seemed to snap through the veils holding Hermione under as her eyes snapped wide open. Ginny and Remus managed to free her arms from the covers. Hermione lay gasping for air, sweat dripping from her brow, her pyjamas clinging and damp against her body. Remus stood, and stepped away, concern written all over his face.

"Wh-what happened? Hermione looked around dazed as her pounding heart slowed back to its normal rhythm.

"Nightmare. You were having a nightmare." Ginny answered shakily. Hermione sat up frowning, the terror of what she dreamt fading fast.

"Ginny, why don't you help her to the shower? I will go make us all some hot chocolate." Remus said softly. Hermione looked at Remus then down at her pyjama top. Her face reddened slightly but she scrunched up her nose.

"Definitely a shower" Hermione said, grimacing as she threw her feet over the end of the bed. Remus exited quickly shutting the door behind him.

The school term had ended two days before. Hermione had awoken the morning after the party curled up on the window seat still in the dress she was in the night before. The weak sunlight of dawn was streaming through her window. She had showered and dressed before Sirius stirred from his room. Hermione found out on her way home by Ginny that Harry and Ron did not want to speak to her or even look at her in Harry's case. Harry had even fobbed off Sirius stating that he would be going back to the Weasley's for Christmas. Ginny had also put her own foot down and told her mother she would be staying with Hermione.

Hermione was extremely grateful to Ginny who argued that Hermione would otherwise be on her own for the break and would rather be with her instead of her pig of a brother. Molly eventually agreed, after Tonks said that she and Remus would be there to supervise. Hermione was thankful that both Tonks and Remus apparated them directly to the courtyard of the Terrace house, as she did not want to pass through Grimmauld Place at all and face Sirius who stormed off after Harry announced he would be staying with the Weasley's.

"You ok?" Ginny asked Hermione, her face was full of concern. Hermione forced a smile on her face.

"I will be once I change. Don't worry about me." Hermione lied to her friend. Ginny frowned at her seeing through it easily but let it slide as Hermione stood and walked over to the huge bathroom connected to her room. She paused at the entrance, looking back to the red head.

"Happy Christmas Ginny." She said softly.

"Happy Christmas Hermione." Ginny smiled back her.

Hermione shut the door and took a deep breath, shutting her eyes the shattered grey landscape came back to view in her mind. Something about the smoky glass seemed to pull at her. She felt like she was on a precipice and felt frightened of plunging in to find out what was there, so unlike her usual inquisitive mind. Yet there was a small sense of foreboding kept her from stepping forwards.

Feeling something brush against her cheek, Hermione opened her eyes to the empty bathroom. She could have sworn she heard a whisper. Hermione shook her head and stripped from her sweat soaked pyjamas and turned on the hot water in the shower, stepping under the steady beat when it was at the right temperature. She spent time thoroughly washing her hair and body before just standing under the jets letting the water pressure massage out the tenseness in her shoulders and mind.

When she was dressed warmly in a pair of slacks and a thick sweater she headed down to the kitchen. Ginny was sitting at the counter, her hot chocolate already half drunk, with a chocolate chip cookie in her hand. They had baked them the day before, the muggle way making an extremely large amount of cookies that they sent some to Grimmauld Place and the Burrow as an early Christmas treat for everyone. Mrs Weasley sent an owl back with fruit mince pies to Hermione asking for the recipe, something that she never did, according to Ginny.

As soon as she stepped in Remus busied himself making her a hot chocolate. As hot drinks went she normally didn't drink them, but when Remus made a hot chocolate they were heavenly. Hermione settled next to Ginny and looked out at the window to the sky lightening as dawn approached. Her attention went to the steaming mug Remus slid towards her. Hermione smiled in thanks and took a sip of the liquid heaven, savouring the flavours of cocoa, cinnamon and a hint of citrus.

"Feeling better?" Remus asked, taking a sip of his own hot chocolate. Hermione suspected it was his second cup but made no comment on it.

"Much better. Thank you." Hermione answered quietly lowering her gaze as she took another sip. Enjoying the warmth that spread through her.

"Apparently this is not the first time though?" Remus pressed studying her. Hermione didn't answer straight away and only did when Ginny nudged her, concerned.

"No it is not the first time." She said shooting Ginny a sidelong glance.

"Ginny is just as worried about you as the rest of us are, Hermione." Remus said quietly. Hermione narrowed her eyes at Remus.

"Define 'the rest of us'" Hermione asked softly. Remus just chuckled picking up one of the cookies on the plate between them.

"You will work that out later today when we all go to Grimmauld Place for Christmas lunch." He said, taking a bite of the cookie.

"I'm not going." Hermione said flatly, pushing her half-drunk cup of hot chocolate away.

"Oh yes Hermione, you are." Remus ordered, "Somebody I knew, surprised me once by visiting at Christmas reminded me that Christmas is about who you are with Hermione, more than the presents and food. So you will come."

With that he, put the other half of the cookie into his mouth, picking up another and walked out of the kitchen leaving the girls. Hermione groaned and put her head on the counter.

"Come on it won't be so bad. I am sure Harry has calmed down about whatever it was he was angry at you over. And hey, even Ron without his Lav-Lav might be mildly tolerable." Ginny tried to reassure the curly brown haired witch.

"Ginny," Hermione began, raising her head and scrunched her nose. "Even you don't believe that Ron could be that tolerable."

Ginny laughed, shaking her head. "No but it did get you to stop thinking about the one other male on why you don't want to go." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively at Hermione.

"Ginevra Weasley, I swear that is the last time I ever confide in you again!" Hermione growled.

Ginny stopped laughing at the mention of her full name. "Ok, fine you win. But don't ever call me that again!"

"Deal." Hermione smirked, picking up one of her cookies and taking a bite.

/\/*\/\

Sirius had hidden himself in the library almost as soon as the Weasley's and Harry arrived shortly after breakfast. He hadn't eaten anything, except Hermione's cookies; but he didn't tell Mrs Weasley that. The Weasley's included the Bill and Fleur, Fred and George with their dates, and surprisingly Charlie Weasley; as well as Harry and Ron. Harry had actually given him a hug in greeting, both silently accepting it that he was forgiven.

When he found Harry that night, at the top of the astronomy tower, they had a long conversation about Hermione. Harry admitted that he found a vial in Professor Dumbledore's office labelled Hermione, sitting on his desk. The vial had been emptied already into the pensieve. Harry said that his curiosity got the better of him and he dived in. He told Sirius that he saw him and Hermione on a beach somewhere, embraced in what seemed to be a very compromising position.

Sirius understood then that Harry had only seen part of the full lot of memories Hermione had given to Dumbledore. Harry explained that Dumbledore's hand had pulled him out and Harry bolted from the office in shock at what he saw. He explained with as little detail as possible that Hermione fell back first a very long time directly into Sirius's past. He explained that Hermione for an unknown reason could not stay in any particular time and seemed to have been pulled in and out of time. His time.

Harry listened as he explained that Hermione came in and out of time in such a way that by the time Sirius realised the toll it was taking on her he was on his way to Azkaban, where he could do nothing to help her. Harry stopped him and asked that she knew him before Azkaban. He asked if she met his parents. Sirius was silent and nodded. Before he left Harry made him promise not to say anything to anyone.

Now it was Christmas day and Harry seemed to have forgiven him. Sirius still felt bereft. His thoughts were still heavily in the past when the very person in his thoughts whooshed out of the fireplace. Sirius shot out of his seat to steady Hermione as she staggered heavily. Downstairs they heard noises, someone having come out of the fireplace in the kitchen. Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"I thought it would be less… crowded here." Hermione answered, reddening slightly, shifting and stepping back; which was a mistake as Remus hurtled out knocking Hermione back into Sirius, who lost his balance and all of them toppled onto the ancient carpeted floor.

"Merlin's beard Moony!" Sirius grunted from under both of them. Before Remus could get up the fireplace whooshed again tossing out Tonks and on top of the other three. Hermione and Sirius both groaned at the added weight, pressing her hard against Sirius.

"Wotcha! Is this stack's on Sirius?" Tonks grinned at Sirius's scowling face from the top of them before pushing off and helping Remus off of Hermione and Sirius. Hermione rolled off of Sirius sitting up on the floor beside him, stretching.

"Why did you three all come out this fireplace?" Sirius asked rolling his shoulders and taking Remus's offered hand to help him stand.

"I thought only downstairs was accessible to the Terrace house?" Sirius added put his hand out for Hermione, pulling her back to her feet. Hermione blushed and tried to move away, but Sirius still had a hold of her hand.

"Apparently, Hermione managed to add this fireplace to the fireplace in the Study at the Terrace house to floo from." Remus looked at her, struggling to find the appropriate expression of anger and admiration at the feat. Sirius also was in a similar disposition. Tonks just shook her head at them.

"It is like they don't even trust your ability anymore!" She grinned at Hermione.

"Something like that," Hermione answered weakly, trying to pull her hand free.

"Why?" Sirius asked, finally letting her go. Hermione looked between them and crossed her arms.

"I needed a book from this library for research. I didn't want to disturb either of you." Her voice didn't come out as strong as she intended. The door to the library opened and Mrs Weasley bustled in smiling warmly at the new guests.

"There you all are! Ginny said that you might be arriving in a quieter room!" She said, giving each of the new arrivals a hug. She took Hermione by the shoulders and lead her out of the room.

"Now my dear, you need to tell me how you made those delicious cookies. I have never tasted anything like them!" Hermione glad for the escape of the older males went with her willingly and began explaining the process with more enthusiasm than necessary.

"Come on you two. There are presents to be had and too much food to eaten." Tonks grabbed both of them and dragged both out of the library towards the kitchen where the party seemed to be starting. Tonks walked in and greeted everybody, her hand still in Remus's. Sirius leaned against the door frame taking in the scene of happiness. Most of the Weasley's were present, except for Percy who still hadn't quite gotten past the previous year's embarrassment. Bill and Fleur were talking with Harry and Ron. Hermione was chatting with Fred and George and their respective dates they invited. Angelina Johnson stood with Fred and a girl Sirius didn't recognise stood beside George, giggling at something he whispered in her ear. Charlie, who managed to get some time off came as a surprise for his parents, was chatting with Arthur and Ginny.

Mrs Weasley called for everyone to be seated causing everyone to make a small ruckus as they began to find places around the table for the feast that Molly had prepared almost single handed. Sirius slid into a seat next to Hermione as Remus and Tonks sat at her other side. The seats around them filled quickly. It was extremely tight with so many around, elbows rubbed against each other.

"The conversation is not over Hermione." Sirius whispered under his breath to her. He felt her stiffen slightly against him and she shot a dark look at him.

"I did it first night of the holidays if you must know." She whispered back exasperated.

"Madam Pomfrey said I should start using magic normally again." She shrugged. Remus choked on his drink, Tonks patting him on the back.

"Blimey Hermione, what did you say to poor Remus?" Bill asked, sitting opposite, smirking slightly, and refilling Remus's glass.

"For some reason they seem constantly baffled at what I can do with a wand." Hermione said sweetly, making most around the table choke on their own drinks, or burst out laughing. Mrs Weasley torn between laughing and scowling announced for everyone to dig in to the feast laid out before them.

Conversations picked up around the table as food was passed around the table, everyone making sure to compliment Mrs Weasley on her fine cooking. There was so much food that no one went hungry. Desserts were passed around and compliments also went to Ginny and Hermione, everyone now having sampled the cookies. Ginny insisted that it was all Hermione. Hermione blushed heavily at the compliments, picking at the slice of fruitcake that was put onto her plate by Remus with a stern look that she better eat it.

Ginny having finished announced that the party would continue in the drawing room with music to dance off the giant amount of food that was eaten, and that was where the presents were. Chairs screeched across the tiled floor as everyone began moving out of the kitchen up to the roomier drawing room. Hermione made to get up but found her seat held by Sirius. Tonks helped Hermione in regards to Remus when she moved over and hugged Charlie.

"Wotcher Charlie! Taken anyone else for a midnight broomride?" She asked winking at him, leading out the second eldest red headed sibling with an arm around his shoulder. Remus following closely behind, scowling at Tonks closeness. Mrs Weasley who was collecting the dishes turned. Sirius stood and smiled at her.

"Go on up Molly, Hermione and I will do the dishes." He took Mrs Weasley by the hand and lead her to the door. Hermione could only smile weakly at her before standing and collecting the dishes around her. She heard the door shut and Hermione shot a furious glare at him.

"I do not see what the problem is Sirius. It is only between here and the terrace house. Only you, Tonks, Remus and Ginny know it exists." Hermione snarled.

Sirius leaned against the door, hands in his pockets, not bothering to help with the dishes as Hermione gathered them by hand slamming them loudly together.

"Actually I wanted to talk about the nightmare that Remus told me you had last night." He said casually. He knew he caught her off guard as the clashing of dishes stopped.

"What does it matter. It was just a bad dream." Hermione said quietly. She herself knew it wasn't. So did Sirius. There had been more to the dreams since she had woken in St Mungo's the first time. Yet the more dreams she had the more that it began to frighten her on what really happened that night in the Ministry.

"Hermione, what was the dream about?" he asked quietly. Hermione huffed and began gathering the dishes. Sirius sighed and pulled out his wand flicking it at the table and sink so the dishes began doing a dance in the air towards the sink, being washed, dried and stacked neatly by magic. Hermione crossed her arms and sat heavily in the chair now no longer able to do anything. Sirius just waited.

"It wasn't a dream." Her voice came out in a whisper. Sirius continued to wait.

"I know when I dream, they are… nice, this though is nothing like a dream. My dreams change. This, this nightmare is the same every time." Hermione's voice trembled.

"You have this dream often?" Sirius asked, flicking his wand again and a glass of water slid in front of Hermione.

"More and more frequently yes." Hermione looked up at Sirius with haunted eyes. He stepped away from the door and took a seat next to her.

"Tell me about it. What is it that is so scary?"

"It will sound silly." Hermione withdrew shaking her head. Sirius chuckled softly. "Princess, I have endured the insanity of twelve years in Azkaban, trust me when I say that I will not think anything from your nightmare would be silly."

Hermione looked at him for a long moment before frowning as she always did when she was in a deep thought.

"It's like… It's like I go to sleep in my bed and I wake up in this fractured landscape. Everywhere around me are these huge shards of smoky grey glass. Except that it surrounds me. Sometimes when I am dreaming, I am just floating in amongst the shattered greyness. Other times it seems like I am standing on… something. But when I look down it is just a swirling grey mist." Hermione took a breath as she stared ahead.

"The only colour in my dream is what I am wearing. It is the same every time. A long red ball gown. It starts the same I am whole and the dress is perfect then there are things that appear through the shards, like a movie playing on a smashed screen. I begin to run. I don't know where I am going, nor where I came from, just I have this need, this compulsion to run."

Hermione began breathing heavily as if she were drawn again into the nightmare awake and sitting in the kitchen.

"Some of the images in the fragments change. Sometimes it's a blue eyed boy, or… running naked through waves on a beach… Other times it's a wolf. Not a wolf. Werewolf. Hunting me through the glass. But worse still is what I can't see. Following me on the edge of my vision. I can never see what they are. Only that in my heart, that they mean ill."

Hermione was shaking now; a sheen of sweat covered her brow. Her eyes were wide and dilated staring; seeing the nightmare instead of the kitchen and Sirius's own pale face.

"I can't let these… things reach me. That is all that I know. If they do then the shattered grey will tear me apart." Hermione gasped.

"Sometimes, it does scratch me when I flee. My dress catches on the glass. Or I slip and slice myself against it. But nothing is worse than what the things will do if they get me." She whispered, a tear leaking from her eye.

Hermione blinked it away and looked around dazed at the kitchen, almost surprised she was in a world of colour again. Sirius called over the leftover plate of cookies. She shook her head at them and reached with a shaking hand for the water still sitting on the table. She took a sip and put it down again.

"Here." Sirius pulled out his flask of fire whiskey, opening the top. Hermione looked at it for a moment before taking the offer and took a long sip. He had to admire that she didn't cough, just wheezed a little, as he took it back and took a long sip for himself.

"You have presents upstairs, but I can make an excuse if you are not ready to see everyone again." He said softly, brushing a loose curl off her face gently. Hermione frowned a little trying to decide, biting her lip. Sirius repressed a groan. He forgot how much he loved her biting her lip. The door behind them banged open making both of them jump.

"Hermione Jean Granger! Will you get your ass upstairs and open your presents?" Ginny stepped into the room with her hands on her hips. She stopped at the look on Hermione.

"Hermione?" She asked rushing to her friend's side.

"She just got a little upset about her parents. We just needed some quiet time." Sirius answered for her. Hermione glanced up at Sirius as Ginny gave her a quick hug.

"How about we go wash your face and then I will drag you into the drawing room so we can pretend to mum we are not drinking Fred's special punch and get drunk and dance till our feet hurt?" Ginny offered encouragingly, standing up.

"And I will pretend that I actually gave you a choice in this, because that is what we are going to do." Ginny smirked as she pulled Hermione to her feet and dragged her to the door, protesting only a little.

"Sirius, if you don't join us in the drawing room as well to open your presents Remus has offered to give them to Ron." Ginny grinned as she paused in the doorway, before hauling Hermione out and upstairs to the nearest bathroom to freshen up. Sirius shook his head and sighed heavily. He contemplated the flask still in his hand before taking another long sip and reluctantly stood to join the large group singing and dancing in the drawing room.

Sirius paused in the room and smiled. If his mother could see the room now and the people in it she would be turning in her grave. Thankfully they no longer had to deal with the portrait of her any longer. Before Hermione had gone back to Hogwarts, he, Remus and Hermione one night, settled in the Library keeping each other company had begun discussing Grimmauld Place after Sirius complained about his dear old mother. Hermione came up with the solution after asking several questions. The result being the wall in which the portrait was stuck upon was removed, with some difficulty due to ancient spells that were deep in the structure. Hermione brilliantly pointed out if the painting was only permanently stuck to the wall, then the sensible conclusion was to take the wall out.

His mother's portrait had screamed long and hard as the wall had been removed from the entrance, revealing a hidden staircase and a curse ridden cellar. Sirius had arranged for the section of wall to be shipped out to the Atlantic and join the grisly wreck of the Titanic. As soon as the portrait had gone it seemed that any malignant magical traces weakened and became easier to remove. Sirius then had gone through every room in the place and renovated it. He still could not remove the giant tapestry. But he had found a way to restore it. Well move where the burn marks went. Needless to say that Grimmauld Place now felt more like a home than it ever had been before.

The Weasleys, Harry, Remus and Tonks were all up dancing and laughing, enjoying the momentary feeling of being carefree. It drew Sirius back to a night not so unlike this when he and his friends had a night of dancing and laughter. Tonks and Fleur spotted Sirius and dragged him over to the tree where two piles of presents were left for Hermione and himself. Sirius dropped gracefully to the ground and began tearing the wrappings from his gifts. He looked up from the scarf that Mrs Weasley had knitted for him and a tin of the fudge he loved as Hermione sat beside him reaching for her gifts. She gave him a small smile, as they opened the remaining gifts.

"Ok, no mopey faces! It's Christmas and time to partay!" Ginny shouted as soon as Hermione unwrapped her last gift, a knitted red beret; pointing her wand at the music player, music blasting out louder. Ginny grabbed Charlie and began dancing both laughing at the silly dance moves. Harry pulled Hermione to her feet and followed their lead, slightly more awkward. But his efforts had Hermione laughing genuinely. Sirius chuckled at his godson. Hermione didn't lie when she had once told him he could not dance.

The song changed and Sirius felt hands grab him pulling him out onto the dance floor. Remus dragged him onto the floor and spun him. Everyone around them laughed.

"Why Moony! What would Tonks say?" Sirius said shocked as they began to dance around the others all laughing at the spectacle.

"She would say get a room you two!" Tonks shouted above the music, as she danced with Harry. Hermione now partnered with Charlie. She was now trying and failing showing him how to do a few dance moves. Charlie laughing gave up picking her up by the waist and spinning her on the spot.

"So you got her to tell you?" Remus said quietly, as they danced.

"Yes. I will send an owl to Dumbledore as soon as I can." Sirius said quietly, watching as Hermione stepped away laughing. Fred and George joined their brother with Angelina and Clara a witch from Angelina's year they had found out; breaking down the couples. Tonks reached and pulled Remus away from Sirius, who grinned wolfishly. Mr and Mrs Weasley were still dancing together at the side as the younger ones began trying to outdo each other for crazy moves.

/\/*\/\

Boxing Day brought most of the group to breakfast with hangovers. Mrs Weasley looked suspiciously at her youngest two children who were also carrying signs of a hangover. The only one that seemed chipper was Hermione. She stuck to Butterbeer and water most of the night. Most likely a good thing Sirius thought blearily as Snape had arrived and took her to the drawing room under orders from Dumbledore to further assess her ability for spells, so she could resume all her classes normally. Not trusting the man he followed nursing a strong coffee in one hand and his hand around his wand in his robes.

"Miss Granger, as you are abysmally behind on the practical work for many of your classes we will go through the spells most of your classmates have already practiced." Snape began. Hermione standing opposite nodded, expecting nothing less from the old Potions Master.

"As you are aware, I expect you to begin attempting all spell work non-verbally. Something, I regret to say nearly all students are still struggling with." Snape continued, drawing out his wand. He raised a brow as Hermione shifted slightly raising her own.

"I imagine, Miss Granger, I do not need to go through each spell from the course work you have managed to memorise?" Snape drawled.

"No Professor. I can begin." Hermione smirked. Sirius smiled as he took a sip of coffee, waited for the slight movement as Hermione begun casting each spell Snape had taught the class. His smile grew as Snape raised a brow noting that Hermione followed his instruction, casting non-verbal spells. Snape took a step forward turning her attack to defence. Hermione moved with a dancer's grace, refused to give ground and stepped towards Snape, forcing him to give ground. Sirius remembering when they went through some practical spell work watched on. Remembering what would happen, he knew what to look for. Sirius still nearly choked on his coffee as Hermione blasted Snape with a full jet of icy cold water catching him off-guard as it had done Sirius.

"Miss Granger, we were going through Defensive spells, not Charm work!" Snape livid at being bested by the girl before him. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.

"Actually Professor, the point of this exercise was to get through the guard of the opponent. I have learned a great deal, stuck with the theory that any spell can be used defensively of offensively to achieve the goal." Hermione stepped back as Snape moved forwards. Sirius had his own wand out now, Snape noticed and stopped his advance.

"And what book did you read that, Miss Granger?" He spat.

"Chapter two of the textbook you assigned for your class sir." Hermione answered matter-of-factly, standing her ground. Snape narrowed his eyes at her.

"Very well, I will advise Professor Dumbledore you seem sufficient to resume normal classes in Charms, Transfiguration, and Defence Against the Dark Arts." Snape stepped away from her, Sirius moving from the door into the room.

"Professor, what about Potions?" Hermione asked him. Snape paused in the door and looked at her long and hard.

"I will return tomorrow and I will assess you on these three potions." A piece of parchment appeared in front of Hermione. Snape swept from the room, a trail of wetness left in his wake. Hermione looked at the list.

"It is always a good morning seeing Snivellus beaten." Sirius smiled. Hermione frowned at him.

"I bested you as well, or do you require a repeat performance?" Hermione asked, wand pointed at him in warning. Sirius smirked and took a sip of his coffee, stepping back.

"Have you eaten breakfast?" He asked changing topics, Hermione shook her head. Sirius raised his brow at her and merely took another sip of his coffee. Hermione huffed and stormed out of the room stomping loudly down the stairs. Sirius grinned and followed her at a leisurely pace. She seemed to be getting all her faculties back. Well most of them, Sirius thought.